Dorothy Jeakins

Distinguished American costume designer, who worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including John Huston, William Wyler, Cecil B. DeMille and Robert Wise. Abandoned by her parents at an early age, Dorothy Jeakins was educated at schools in San Diego and Los Angeles. Early in her childhood, she demonstrated an aptitude for drawing, which won her a State of California Scholarship at the Otis Art Institute. She supplemented her studies by working as a live-in servant with local families. After submitting some very good illustrations to the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, she was taken on by the Southern California Arts Project. In 1936, Dorothy held a job in the colour department at Walt Disney studios, painting animated cells of 'Mickey Mouse' for $16 a week. Her first work in fashion design was doing layouts for Magnin's Department Store, which attracted the attention of 20th Century Fox art director Richard Day. Day then brought her to the attention of film director