Statement by the Costume Designers Guild on the Passing of Nolan Miller

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our long time Guild member and one of the greatest Costume Designers of our time, Nolan Miller.  The Costume Designers Guild expresses its deepest sympathies to Mr. Miller’s friends and loved ones and we will always be appreciative of the enormous contributions he made to our craft,” said Costume Designers Guild President, Mary Rose, in a statement made Thursday.

Miller (January 8, 1933 - June 6, 2012) is well known for his work in the 1980s long running series Dynasty, for which he won an Emmy Award in 1984.  Mr. Miller then went on to design the costumes for the TV series The Colbys and mini-series Dynasty: the Reunion in 1991.  He collaborated with television producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer on numerous projects including Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Hotel and Vega$.

In addition, Mr. Miller also worked on such well known shows as Burke’s Law, Gilligan’s Island (creating gowns for Tina Louise), Green Acres (designing costumes for Eva Gabor), The Addams Family (following Charles Addams’ cartoons to create the character’s initial wardrobe), Honey West (his first credited series as Costume Designer), The Mod Squad, The Survivors (costuming screen icon Lana Turner), Vega$ (with Robert Urich), Hart to Hart and Hotel (working with Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor).  The costume designer lent his talents to motion pictures as well, including the films Skin Deep (1989), Soapdish and All I Want for Christmas (both 1991).

From 1983 to 1987, Miller received six Emmy Award nominations.  He was nominated four times for Outstanding Costume Design for a Series for his work on Dynasty, and he was nominated in 1985 for the Elizabeth Taylor television movie Malice in Wonderland and 1987 for The Two Mrs. Grenvilles starring Ann-Margaret and Claudette Colbert. In 2000, the Costume Designers Guild honored Miller with The Rit Color Award for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design.  The award was presented to Miller by his long time friend, actress Sophia Loren.

Photo credit: Steven Silverstein