Born 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, American fashion designer and couturier James Galanos is known for designing clothing for America’s social elite, including Nancy Reagan, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and others.
Fashion designs by James Galanos in the 1950s
Galanos was the youngest designer to win the Coty Fashion Award in 1954. He was also a winner in 1956 and he was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1959. He also received the prestigious 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 Seventh Avenue. Dubbed the “Fashion Walk of Fame”, Galanos was one of the first designers to be so honored.
Galanos’ career spanned more than half a century. He retired in 1998 and lived in Palm Springs, California, and West Hollywood. He died in 2016, at his home in West Hollywood, California, at the age of 92. These glamorous photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by James Galanos in the 1950s.
Sunny Harnett in beautiful evening dress of yellow tea roses brocaded on silk satin, trained, sleeved with modest décolletage by James Galanos, diamond jewelry by Harry Winston, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, October 1, 1955
Anne St. Marie in gorgeous eucalyptus-green and gold brocade sheath by James Galanos, shoes covered in brocade to match, coral and gold bracelets and diamond and emerald earrings by Cartier, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, October 15, 1956
Capucine in yellow and black floral print silk dress by James Galanos, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper’s Bazaar, April 1956
Carmen in peony-pink silk print dress with fichu-collar by James Galanos, hat by Emme, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper’s Bazaar, April 1956
Joan Romano wearing James Galanos silk evening dress in brown speckled pattern and wearing black satin hair bow and diamond earrings by Eisenberg, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, 1956
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