Gustave Tassell (1926–2014) was an American fashion designer and Coty Award winner who became a fashion star in the early 1960s with starkly refined clothes that appealed to women like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Greer Garson and Princess Grace of Monaco.
Fashion designs in the 1960s by Gustave Tassell
Tassell designed clothes that Jackie Kennedy wore as first lady on a highly publicized goodwill tour of India in 1962. That year the fashion press hailed him as one of America’s hottest new designers.
Once described as a “brunet Harpo Marx” because of his curly hair, Tassell earned a bit part as a cabaret patron in director Woody Allen’s 1980 movie “Stardust Memories.” Allen spotted him at the popular New York hangout Elaine’s “and liked his face,” said his sister, Rebecca Welles Weis.
Take a look at these vintage photos to see impressive designs by Gustave Tassell in the 1960s.
China Machado in gorgeous white crêpe gown by Gustave Tassell caught in luxurious long coil of natural dark mink by Maximilian, ring by Harry Winston, photo by Louis Faurer, Harper’s Bazaar, February 1960
Isabella Albonico in violet tulle hat held together with black velvet bow by Gustave Tassell, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, September 1, 1960
China Machado in 7/8 cape over a matching stone-beige tweed suit by Arthur Jablow, hat by Gustave Tassell, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper’s Bazaar, September 1961
China Machado in short evening dress of white piqué with cape-free back and held close in front by thin sash and a low-circling deep flounce by Gustave Tassell, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper’s Bazaar, June 1961
Isabella Albonico in cape of mulberry and white printed silk lined in white silk over a matching dress by Gustave Tassell, hat by Mr. Arnold, photo by Saul Leiter, Harper’s Bazaar, March 1961
Leave a Reply