Obituaries : Norma S. Cias; Costume Designer

Norma S. Cias, a costume designer whose creations were worn by entertainers including Cher, Carol Burnett, Marlene Dietrich and Barbra Streisand, has died at a Tarzana hospital. She was 87.

A longtime Granada Hills resident, Miss Cias died Friday of natural causes, said her son, Richard Cias of Granada Hills.

Born in L’Aquilla, Italy, Miss Cias came to the United States at 13 and began work as a beading designer, adding elaborate beaded patterns to existing costumes, during the early 1920s.

After several decades in New York where her designs were used in productions such as the Ice Capades, Miss Cias traveled to California in the early 1960s. She was employed for a time at Universal Studios with legendary costume designer Edith Head.

During the 1970s, she worked with designer Bob Mackie, creating the bead patterns for Mackie creations worn by the stars of “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Sonny and Cher Show.” Her career also included designs worn by Liza Minnelli, Mitzi Gaynor, Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand in movies such as “Cabaret,” “Lady Sings the Blues” and “Funny Lady.” Miss Cias retired in the early 1980s.

In addition to her son, Richard, Miss Cias is survived by a sister, Aida Milani of Bayside, N. Y., and two grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. today at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Memorial Park, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. Forest Lawn Mortuary is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Miss Cias’ name to the Motion Picture & Television Fund, 23388 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills, 91364.