RET TURNER, RIP

As I was watching the In Memorium segment of the Emmys the other night, I got a sad shock. The second person they showed was the iconic and beloved costume designer, Ret Turner. I jumped off the couch. I had to pause the show to cry for awhile. I felt awful. I had just thought of him the week before, hoping we’d see each other again soon. I did not know that he had left us this past May. Though I didn’t know Ret well, he’s one of the people I was happiest to bump into, any time.

I had known of him since I was a little girl. Ret Turner’s name came up on everything glamorous. He was most closely associated with Cher and Bob Mackie, and I loved everything he did. He was my kind of designer.

No, that’s not me with Ret Turner–it’s Cher.

Then I grew-up and began my cable show in Los Angeles, Karen’s Restaurant Revue. Since I was the “it” girl for a bit, and skinny enough to fit into Cher’s cast-offs, I was invited to her garage sale! It was quite the event! I was overwhelmed. I made Mr. X accompany me because I felt so out of my league. As we were flipping through a rack of some of her most elegant dresses, (yes, she did have some of those,) Cher came over with a big tub of popcorn and offered us some. As I was reaching into it, a very sweet voice asked, “Are you going to review Cher’s popcorn?” I didn’t know from whence it came, but I couldn’t believe it—one of Cher’s friends knew who I was!

I looked over, and there was the most adorable Kris Kringle-looking man. He introduced himself—it was Ret Turner! I almost passed-out! He told me that he loves my show, and that Cher watches it, too! (She was a lot less reluctant to admit it, though. Maybe she didn’t appreciate seeing a younger version of her face. But that was then. Now Cher has the younger version of mine.)

I was already in love with the gorgeous maroon velvet skintight cocktail dress I was holding, and Ret told me he designed it! Then I was really desperate for it. But these were far from garage sale prices! She was asking a fortune for it. But Ret begged her to come down for me. He said, “Come on, Cher—it’s Karen!” Mr. X and I could not believe what was happening; it was like we were in a dream!

Ret made her keep on lowering the price for me, and I finally could afford it. (Well, Mr. X could! Let’s not be crazy here.) To this day, it’s one of my favorite possessions ever, even though it long ago got too small for me. (Or–reality-check–I got too big for it.)

Karen Salkin’s first appearance on The Tonight Show, in a dress designed by Ret Turner.

But as soon as I was called to appear on The Tonight Show, I instantly knew what I would be wearing that night. I’ve never in my whole life been able to make decisions, but I knew in a nano-second that I would wear my Ret Turner creation. I did, and I felt great in it. When I watch the show back, (as I sometimes still do,) I critique my hair, my nose, and some of my chatter—but never my dress! What a wonderful memory of Ret Turner to have.

After that, I bumped into him around town from time to time, and we we both giggled with glee to see each other. The last time was a few years ago, at a party high atop the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown LA. A young-ish guy came over to me, and said that someone was asking to see me. I looked over, and it was Ret! And, even though he appeared to have some trouble walking at the time, he was coming towards me! I jumped up and ran over to him, and we were thrilled to be in each other’s company.

One of my big regrets is that Ret and I didn’t become real friends, and hang-out. He had told me to get in touch with him anytime I needed an outfit, but, hating to impose on anyone, (except Mr. X, of course,) I never did. And then time just moved on, and we were both uber-busy people. But I hope that he had an inkling that he’s one of the people I hold dearest. He meant more to me than he knew; so much more than just a show business acquaintance.

I hope that I see Ret in heaven one day. And that he’ll design a beautiful white gown for me to wear there, all my own.

RIP, Ret Turner.