Born: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 1924
When James Galanos retired in 1998, after 47 years in business, the former first lady, Nancy Reagan, paid him a resounding tribute in American Vogue: ‘No one makes clothes like he does – his workmanship, his choice of fabric. I have often said you could wear a Galanos dress inside out and no one would know, because it would be so beautifully made.’
The maker of the former first lady’s inaugural gowns – two for the governorship and two for the presidency – began his illustrious career as assistant to Hattie Carnegie. His early work included a stint as an illustrator for Columbia Pictures and assistant to Robert Piguet in Paris before returning to New York to work with designer Davidow. He started his own company, Galanos Originals, in 1951. Galanos is known for successfully producing ready-to-wear clothes with couture touches – silk linings, embroidery and beadwork. He has been the subject of many exhibitions, including one celebrating a quarter of a century in business.
