David Hayes

David Michael Hayes, acclaimed Fashion Designer and resident of Beverly Hills for 35 years passed away peacefully at his home on December 20th, 2019. David was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri on December 1st, 1931. David proudly served his country in the Marine Corp. Not long after, he moved to L.A. to follow his dreams of becoming an actor and broadway sensation. His striking voice and acting talents brought him to Paris, France; where he lived for 3 years. David became a broadway star starring in multiple films and broadway shows, but while living in Paris, David's heart was opened to his true passion: fashion. David returned to L.A. and enrolled into UCLA where he received his degree in Fashion Design and thus, a star was ultimately born. Mr. David Hayes landed a position as the lead designer for the label DeGraff of California by David Hayes. After 7 years, David had the drive and force to start his own label and in the early 80’s, David’s dream came true. The David Hayes label was a success! Selling out in every Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States, his garments were a hit. He once said, “I like designing beautiful clothes. Suits and dresses that can be worn by both the young and mature woman. Age has nothing to do with my clothes for all they require is an attitude. I want my clothes to be able to go anywhere - to work, cocktails, dinner, theatre, and the most formal of affairs.”

He had a larger than life personality to match his larger than life work ethic. David became the go-to designer of some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor, Audrey Hepburn, Linda Evans, Joan Collins, Anne Jeffreys, Phyllis Diller, Barbara Rush and at the time First Lady, Nancy Reagan favored his classic tailoring and superb design aesthetic. In 1981, he was nominated and adducted into the Los Angeles Fashion Hall of Fame.

David Hayes was an iconic sensation and lived life to the fullest. He loved empowering women and making women feel glamorous. David was the son of late Benjamin and Florence “Dolly” Hayes. He had three siblings Joanne Hayes Bolona, Terry Hayes, and Patrick Hayes. David will be dearly missed by his brother Patrick Hayes, many nieces and nephews who adored him, and especially his dog “baby” Elle Mae. As David would often quote; “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then whatever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast” -Ernest Hemingway. The fashions of David Hayes will live on forever. What an extradorinaiy life he lived.

David’s wishes are to be cremated and will rest at Pierce Brothers Woodland Memorial. There will be no service... David’s wishes are to be remembered full of life.