Born 1890 in Romania, Romanian-American fashion designer Ben Zuckerman started out as a floor sweeper for a dress factory, but built up his skills, until, aged 21, he was able to launch his first business in partnership with Joseph Hoffman. In the late 1920s, the company was succeeded by a new one, Zuckerman & Kraus, which lasted until 1949.
Fashion designs in the 1950s by Ben Zuckerman
After travelling Europe and touring the United States, Ben Zuckerman came back to New York and launched his eponymous company “Ben Zuckerman” in 1950.
Zuckerman, although he could not sew, was known as the “Master Tailor of Seventh Avenue.” The quality of his boldly coloured suits and coats was much admired, and very influential on the way American women dressed. His work was described as looking like it had been made by couturiers such as Dior and Balenciaga. Grace Kelly wore one of his coat and dress ensembles in 1956 when she arrived in Monaco to marry Prince Rainier, and proudly wore the same coat nine years later whilst pregnant with her youngest child. He also made clothes for Jacqueline Kennedy while she was First Lady of the United States.
Zuckerman retired and closed his business in 1968. In 1973, he and Shacter were elected charter members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He won his first Coty Award in 1952, the Return Award in 1957, and the Hall of Fame Award in 1961. He was also a recipient of the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1951, alongside the ceramicist Ernestine Cannon and the ready-to-wear designer Jane Derby.
Zuckerman died at his home in Palm Beach in 1979, aged 89. These fabulous photos captured portraits of classic beauties in fashion designs by Ben Zuckerman in the 1950s.
Cherry Nelms in Juilliard’s worsted tweed suit, the hips stiffened with the skirt slit on either side by Ben Zuckerman, belt by Midtown, civet satchel by Madame Thea, photo by Karen Radkai, Harper’s Bazaar, March 1951
Kitty Kopet in gray Forstmann flannel suit by Ben Zuckerman, photo by Karen Radkai at Rockefeller Center Skating Rink, Harper’s Bazaar, March 1951
Mary Jane Russell in Worumbo gray flannel suit by Ben Zuckerman, hat by Chanda, brooch by Schlumberger, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, February 1, 1951
Dovima in high-waisted coat in slightly silvered brushed grape wool, the collar is big and set away from the neck, by Ben Zuckerman, hat by John Frederics, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, August 1, 1952
Dressy fitted coat of white wool fleece by Ben Zuckerman and small angora veiled hat by John Frederics is worn by Mrs. Gene Skora , photo by Nina Leen, National Gallery, Washington D.C., February 1952
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