Rest in peace, Geoffrey Holder. I worked as his wife Carmen De Lavallade’s dresser at the American Repertory Theater in 1980, where she was appearing as Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He arrived for the opening night party in a tuxedo, a black cape lined with red satin, and a silver-topped cane. We were all agog at his elegance and style. An actor, a painter, and a dancer — I heard that night that he designed many of Ms. De Lavallade’s clothes.
And that VOICE!!! Occasionally I would have the good fortune to attend the same affairs as he and his wife. I can still hear him saying “Wonderful profile” and discovered he was speaking about ME!!!!