Updated: July 08, 2023

Designing clothes for the cast of The Poseidon Adventure was a traumatic experience for Paul Zastupnevich. Paul Z., as his co-workers called him, was required to design for both appearance and the development of character and then watch his art being destroyed bit by bit. A complication of Paul's problem was what would be practical as they, particularly the women, fought their way upward to the ship's keel and possible rescue? In consultation with producer Allen and director Ronald Neame it was considered and rejected that the ladies be reduced to their underwear. This, it was thought, might have a comedic effect destructive to the tension of the story. Zastupnevich resolved his problems in a variety of ingenious ways. For Stella Stevens he created a plain, bias cut gown of white champagne satin, "something Jean Harlow might have worn which teases but doesn't show all." He added that he merely "showcased" her natural endowments. Obviously impractical for climbing around the bowels of a ship, the gown is discarded by Stella and she adopts the shirt of her husband in the film, Ernest Borgnine.

Value: $1,000. ( Each )