Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Haynesville, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, New York City, New York

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1983-01-07

Duration: 00:27:27

Subjects: Fashion designers | BEENE, GEOFFREY | Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973 | Robb, Lynda Bird, 1944- | Fashion

Contributors:

• Weill, Gus Host
• Beene, Geoffrey Interviewee
• Fowler, Ken Producer
• Breazeale, Kathryn Producer
• Fourrier, Clay Director
• Bryan, Bill Photographer
• Carroll, Mark Photographer
• James, Frank Photographer

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from January 7, 1983, features an interview with Geoffrey Beene conducted by Gus Weill. Beene, a native of Haynesville, Louisiana, was an influential fashion designer of women’s clothing. He discusses: leaving medical school to pursue a career in fashion; studying fashion design in Paris; his early career in New York City; his first taste of success as a designer; the significance of winning eight Coty American Fashion Critics’ Awards; his philosophy of fashion; designing the wedding dress for Lynda Byrd Johnson’s White House wedding; his impression of President Lyndon B. Johnson; the pressures of being a fashion designer; the feeling of returning to Louisiana; and his emotional attachment to his work. During a mini-runway show in the middle of the interview, Beene also describes the specific details of three of his recent designs. Host: Gus Weill