Geoffrey Beene
Louisiana Legends

Details
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
Description
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