Early Life and Artistic Training William Travilla (March 22, 1920 – November 2, 1990), known professionally as Travilla, was born in Los Angeles, California—a city steeped in Hollywood glamour and artistic ambition. From a young age, he demonstrated an exceptional talent for drawing fashion design, nurtured by his parents who recognized his innate creativity. His formative years were spent studying at Chouinard Art Institute (now CalArts), where he honed his skills and absorbed the stylistic influences of the burgeoning art deco movement. This early exposure to visual arts would profoundly s…