* Bernice Pontrelli; Costume Designer

Bernice Pontrelli, a motion picture and television costume designer whose creations were worn by such stars as Ginger Rogers, Joan Fontaine and Claudette Colbert, has died at a Burbank hospital. She was 86.

A longtime resident of Los Feliz and a former Sherman Oaks resident, Pontrelli died Saturday of heart failure, said her granddaughter, Bernice Mahfet of Sherman Oaks.

Pontrelli was born in Italy, and came to the United States when she was a young girl. She later attended Los Angeles City College and Chouinard Art Institute. She began her career at Hollywood’s Western Costume Co. in the early 1930s, where she learned the basics of clothing design and manufacturing.

After heading the wardrobe department at RKO Pictures, Pontrelli worked as a free-lance costume designer for several Hollywood studios, including Paramount, MGM and Universal. Among the many films that featured her work were “Witness for the Prosecution,” “Blood on the Moon,” “How the West Was Won,” and “True Grit.”

In later years, Pontrelli designed fashions for such television programs as “The Fugitive,” “Kay Kyser’s Kollege of Musical Knowledge” and “Love, American Style.”

In addition to her career in the film industry, Pontrelli worked as a free-lance fashion designer, creating a line of women’s sportswear sold in Southland department stores in the 1960s. She retired in the late 1960s.

Active in numerous charities throughout her life, including the Catholic Benefit Society and Boys Towns of Italy, Pontrelli was recognized by Mayor Sam Yorty in 1972 for her volunteer work.

Pontrelli is survived by a daughter, Catherine Pontrelli of Los Feliz; a son, Michael Angelo Pontrelli of Camarillo; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral Mass will be held today at St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church, 1039 N. Broadway, Los Angeles. Pierce Brothers Valhalla Mortuary in North Hollywood is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Pontrelli’s name to St. Anthony’s Society, 2105 S. Palm Ave., Alhambra 91803.