- James Galanos
James Galanos ( [gulAn´Os] ) (born 1925) is an American
fashion designer , was born inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania . His clients have included such celebrities asDiana Ross and actress Rosalind Russell. His most famous client is former First LadyNancy Reagan , wife of former PresidentRonald Reagan , for whom he designed gowns. His work is characterized by exacting craftsmanship, particularly in the extensive use of hand beading, full, loose dresses and chiffon coats over simple sheaths, as well as the extensive use of silk fabrics.Galanos attended
Bridgeton High School inBridgeton, New Jersey [McCullen, Sean c. [http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/index.ssf?/base/news-2/119519083664280.xml&coll=10 "BHS Hall of Fame grows"] , "Bridgeton News ",November 16 ,2007 . AccessedDecember 11 ,2007 . The third class of the Bridgeton High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame was inducted during a ceremony at the high school Thursday night. The 2007-2008 inductees are fashion designer James Galanos (Class of 1942)..."] , and went on to graduate from Traphagen School of Fashion in New York in 1943. He worked for fashion designers inParis andNew York City , includingHattie Carnegie and film costume designer Jean Louis. He opened Galanos Originals inLos Angeles in 1951.Galanos won a host of awards during his career, including the
Coty Fashion Award in both 1954 and 1956, as well as being inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1959. He received the Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985. In the year 2000, the City of New York began honoring American fashion designers by placing bronze plaques along the pavement of 7th Avenue. Dubbed the "Fashion Walk of Fame", Galanos was one of the first designers to be so honored.Though he officially retired in 1998, Galanos continues to make his presence known in the fashion world. In 2002, he blasted the fashion industry for catering to only young women with perfect bodies. In an interview with "WWD" Magazine, he said "How many women can wear just a patch over their crotch and a bra?" he asked over lunch at the Pierre, shaking his head in contempt. "Aren't you embarrassed when you see a young girl walking down the street practically naked?"
Galanos is the uncle of fine jewelry designer
Diana Vincent , of Washington Crossing, PA.References
ources
* [http://www.msstate.edu/school/humansciences/HistoricCostumes/page6.html James Galanos bio from MSU] (
Mississippi State University )
* [http://www.designerhistory.com/historyofashion/galanos.html Designerhistory.com]
* [http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Category:James_Galanos Sewing patterns by James Galanos]
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