General Notes

* This is the first volume to take an in-depth look at the career of Hollywood “Golden Age” costume/fashion designer Travis Banton. As such, the author Howard Gutner has uncovered a good deal of material that has never been published.

* Working for Paramount Pictures from 1925 through 1938, Banton was responsible for creating the onscreen images of such legendary Hollywood actresses as Carole Lombard, Claudette Colbert, Mae West, and most notably Marlene Dietrich.

One of Banton's proteges was none other than Edith Head, whose name appears as costume/fashion designer in the credits of so many classic movies that most know her name without knowing who she was--but a lot of who she became in her career owes much to Banton's mentorship.

So, to borrow a phrase from Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in the Billy Wilder classic film Sunset Boulevard, “Mr. Banton is ready for his close-up.”

Movie-geared Media and/or Event Leads from the Author

* The author has already been invited to appear on various Golden Age-era movies-focused podcasts, including Ticklish Business (billed online as an “old Hollywood podcast") - https://ticklishbusiness.podbean.com

* Deborah Nadoolman Landis (an Academy Award-nominated costume designer and author of Hollywood Sketchbook and Hollywood Costume, and also wife of acclaimed filmmaker John Landis). Ms. Landis is a big Banton fan, and already has approached the author about doing an event at UCLA's David C. Copley Center for the Study of Costume Design (double-feature screening of our author's choice, together with talk and book signing). (Event should take place in mid-Spring 2026.)

* Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (Los Angeles, CA) also interested in doing an event that covers Banton's career (and sets the stage for a large book signing). Books will also need to be ordered for this potential event. (Event should take place in late Spring of 2026, shortly after book's release).

General Media Coverage/Pitches

Trade submissions to Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Foreword Reviews, Booklist, and Shelf Awareness

Pitch to major entertainment and film outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times, People, etc.

National print and online advertising

Finished book mailings to national and regional print, online, and broadcast media covering entertainment, film, and general interest

There will also be an attempt to gather coverage from Fashion-related media outlets, such as: Vogue; Harper's Bazaar; Vanity Fair; Esquire; Women's Wear Daily; Woman's Day; Cosmopolitan; and more (including websites and blogs)