Deirdre Carmel Ann Naughton, fashion maven and former Hollywood costume designer, passed away in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. She was 63.
Naughton, who was always referred to as Dee, was a long time Hollywood resident. Born on Friday the 13th in the West of Ireland, she lived full-time in the United States.
In the 1970s, Naughton attended the Fashion Institute of Design in New York, where she won awards for her fashion and costume designs. While living in New York she embraced the city’s vibrant nightlife. She loved going to nightclubs and parties with fellow artists and designers such as Halston, Elsa Peretti, and the Andy Warhol crowd. She was a regular at the Max Kansas City nightclub and the legendary Studio-54 discothèque. After spending a couple of years in New York, she returned to California, where she resumed studies in fashion and costume design at UCLA.
Naughton completed her thesis on kabuki theater costume designs. She taught costume design courses through UCLA extension program. The late actor Carroll O’Connor gave Naughton her first job as a television costumer by arranging for her to work on the hit television show “All in the Family.” She went on to enjoy a highly successful career as a costume designer for television, movies, musicals, and the theater. She was the costume designer for such hit television shows as “Head of the Class,” “One Day at a Time,” “Eight is Enough,” “Square Pegs,” “A Different World,” and numerous other television shows. She was also the principle costume designer for many plays and musicals, such as “Guys and Dolls” starring Milton Berle, and the movie “Penitentiary.”
Naughton’s career as a costume designer ended in the late 1980s due to injuries she sustained from a car accident. She spent her remaining years collecting designer and vintage clothing, accessories, and antiques. Naughton was stuck by a car on Dec. 11 while walking home.
She leaves behind her brother Kevin Naughton, his wife Jocelyn, her sister Clare and her brother Brian as well as one niece, three nephews, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her fashion sense, kindness, and flair for style will be missed by all.
Memorial services are pending.
