Famed Costume Designer Nolan Miller Dies

Large shoulder pads and luxurious jewelry are often mentioned when people think of the 1980s nighttime soap opera, Dynasty. The many looks created a trend that lasted the decade, and they were all from the mind of costume designer, Nolan Miller. Sadly, Miller passed away Wednesday evening after battling lung cancer for several years.

Actress Joan Collins, one of the Dynasty divas, was a close friend of the fashion icon, and it was she who first told the world of the loss on Twitter in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Wrote Collins, "My dear friend Nolan Miller died peacefully in his sleep last night. He was a huge part of my life and I will miss him terribly. Rest now NM."

Miller broke into television designing gowns for Anne Francis back in 1965. He went on to do the outfits for Vegas, Charlie's Angels, Hart to Hart, Matt Houston, The Love Boat, Hotel, and other successful dramas before becoming world renowned from his Dynasty creations. He also did the Dynasty spinoff series, The Colbys, and then continued to provide gowns for actress Emma Samms (Fallon on The Colbys) when she appeared on Models, Inc. He also designed Collins' wardrobe for her 1997 show, Pacific Palisades.

The clothing genius did appear as an actor in two shows, the updated Burke's Law and the pilot to Models, Inc. Both aired in 1994.

The Texas native spun his Dynasty success into two decades worth of appearances on QVC where he sold his designs and jewelry, bringing his creative artistry into the homes of the everyday woman.

Miller was 79.