Born 1898 in Houston, Texas, Sophie Gimbel was an American fashion designer for Salon Moderne of Saks Fifth Avenue. She was a leading designer for nearly 40 years and an innovator of the “New Look” that gained popularity after World War II.
Fashion styles by Sophie Gimbel in the 1950s and ’60s
Gimbel was featured on the cover of Time magazine on September 29, 1947. She was not the first fashion designer to appear there, having been preceded by Elsa Schiaparelli in 1934, but she was the first American designer to grace the cover.
The Couture Group of the New York Dress Institute named Gimbel among the best-dressed fashion personalities of 1959. She died of a heart attack at Mount Sinai Hospital at the age of 83 in 1981.
Take a look at these stunning photos to see fashion styles by Sophie Gimbel in the 1950s and 1960s.
Model in a Sophie Gimbel ball gown in pink ombre silk net with sequined bodice and matching sheer stole, photo by Cecil Beaton, March 1951
Barbara Mullen in emerald green fitted coat, entirely lined in lapin by Sophie Originals and emerald velvet hat by Tatiana both for Saks Fifth Avenue, moss agate necklace by Castlecliff, cover used for Vogue by Horst, Oct. 1, 1952
Sunny Harnett wearing black cashmere halter sweater, narrow red print skirt and black fur stole, all by Sophie Gimbel, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, October 1952
Lisa Fonssagrives in dazzling silk print dress with a bowed close bodice and yards wide skirt made to order by Sophie of Saks Fifth Avenue, photo by Horst, Vogue, March 15, 1953
Model in silk soutache day coat with mink fur on the collar and cuffs from the custom collection of Sophie of Saks Fifth Avenue and green shoes with diamonds by Harry Winston, photo by Horst, Vogue, October 15, 1953
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