Aurie Williams

Nia Novella Travilla was the only daughter of actress/singer Dona L Drake (1914 - 1989) and clothing designer William J Travilla (1920 - 1990), who was better known simply as "Travilla". Travilla, an Oscar winner for costume design, is likely best remembered for designing Marilyn Monroe's wardrobe in many of her films. Her father was born on Santa Catalina Island, California and her mother was born in Miami, Florida. There is a very touching story which appeared in The San Francisco Examiner where Bill talks about Nia's transition from childhood into becoming a teenager. Bill had hired her to work at a salon, and while he had promised himself to limit the clothes he designed for her, he had felt the calling to help her transition into adulthood. See Sophistication for the Teen-Ager for the story and Bill Travilla discusses designing for daughter Niva Travilla for the image that appeared in the article. Nia was born in Alameda County California just a few days before her parents' 7th wedding anniversary. She lived in Southern and then Northern California her entire life and married 24 year old Jose L. Ariza when she was 19 on June 26th 1971 in Los Angeles. Twenty two years later the couple divorced in May of 1973. While she initially studied to become an actor, her family's love of animals (the Travilla family had a collection of exotic pets) became Nia's true calling. She became a noted local veterinarian, and bred Schnauzers.