- Born
- Died
- Birth namePhyllis Margaret Dalton
- Phyllis Dalton was born on October 16, 1925 in London, England, UK. She was a costume designer, known for Doctor Zhivago (1965), The Princess Bride (1987) and Henry V (1989). She was married to Christopher Synge Barton and James Whiteley. She died on January 9, 2025 in Somerset, England, UK.
- SpousesChristopher Synge Barton(? - January 9, 2025) (her death)James Whiteley(? - 1976) (divorced)
- Frequently worked in Kenneth Branagh's films.
- Mrs. Dalton was awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2002 Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to the Film Industry as a Costume Designer.
- Yeovil, Somerset, England
- As of 2021, she has contributed with the costume design of three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Oliver! (1968). Of those, Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Oliver! (1968) are winners in the category.
- During World War II, she enlisted for the Women's Royal Naval Service and served at the code-breaking facility at Bletchley Park.
- Dalton wasn't even nominated for her most recognizable work - the precision military costumes and Arab wear she designed for Lawrence of Arabia (1962). In a letter, director David Lean wrote to her expressing his disappointment at the lack of recognition: "I blame Columbia and [producer] Sam [Spiegel] for not somehow getting you nominated for your wonderful job. You did it so beautifully that I think they failed to realize every costume was an original by you.".
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