I'm proud to dedicate this post to two Greek men that successfully did (or are still doing) their thing into international fashion world for many years!
James Galanos
Born in 1924, Greek American designer James Galanos grew up in New Jersey. For the overall body of his work, Galanos was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1959 and received the Council of Fashion Designers American Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985. His fragrance, which bore his name, won The Fragrance Foundation’s FiFi Award in 1978. James Galanos retired in 1998. His clients have included such celebrities as Diana Ross and actress Rosalind Russell. His most famous client is former First Lady Nancy Reagan, wife of former President Ronald Reagan, for whom he designed gowns.
Renee Zellweger wearing Jean Desses at the 2001 Academy Awards.
James Galanos, 1964 collection
James Galanos late '70s evening gown found in Decades boutique in L.A.
Heidi Klum wearing James Galanos at 2009 Golden Globe Awards
Jean Desses
(6 August 1904 – 2 August 1970), was a world leading fashion designer in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Born Jean Dimitre Verginie in Alexandria, Egypt, to Greek parents. His designs were influenced by his travels, specializing in creating draped evening gowns in chiffon and mousseline, based on early Greek and Egyptian robes. His fashion was very popular with European royalty and movie stars. Among his clientele were the Queen and royal princesses of Greece, the Duchess of Windsor and society hostess Elsa Maxwell. In 1962, he designed the wedding gown worn by Princess Sophia of Greece (later Queen Sofia of Spain) for her marriage to the future King Juan Carlos of Spain. Valentino worked with Desses for several years in the 1950s and gained much hands-on experience, as did Guy Laroche who in the 1950s was Desses' assistant. In 1963, at age 60, he retired to Greece because of poor health, where he ran a small boutique which he had opened eight years earlier. He died in Athens in 1970. In the 1990s, his fashion designs saw a revival with the interest in vintage dresses.
Renee Zellweger wearing Jean Desses at the 2001 Academy Awards.
J.Lo. wearing Jean Desses at the 2006 Academy Awards.
Kristin Davis wearing Jean Desses at the NYC Sex And The City 2 premiere.
1938's "Celui" perfume By Jean Desses
1962's "Kalispera" (meaning Good Evening in Greek) parfume by Jean Desses.
I have to admit that until recently I didn't knew about these two gentlemen but I' m glad that I do now! More fashion-Greeks to come in my next posts! ;)
Thanks for stopping by darlings!
Love, Lena!
