1924 - James Galanos (retired) work : 1951-1998

[DosViolines]

sfgate.com

James Galanos was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1924. He worked for fashion designers in Paris and New York City before opening Galanos Originals in Los Angeles in 1951. At the beginning of his career, Galanos specialized in cocktail and evening dresses, which were acclaimed for their detailed constructions.

Galanos was most noted for his ready-to-wear fashions. His famous styles included full dresses and sheaths worn underneath chiffon coats. Galanos's superb workmanship and luxurious designs were very expensive. Not surprisingly, many of his clients were wealthy, socially influential people such as Diana Ross and Nancy Reagan. After designing for 30 years, James Galanos retired at the age of 73 in 1998.

msstate.edu

 

[DosViolines]

Vanity Fair April 2007
When Galanos Spelled Glamour
by Amy Fine Collins
Scanned by MissMagAddict

original post

 

[SomethingElse]

Wonderful alternate and detailed images of this piece can be seen at http://www.vintagetextile.com/new_page_264.htm

$1,950

Galanos jeweled evening ensemble, c.1980

Well known for sophisticated evening wear, James Galanos received international recognition when Nancy Reagan wore a Galanos evening gown to the Inaugural Ball. This ensemble is quintessential Galanos. The masterful use of chiffon and the intricate beading create wearable art!

The coat and dress are both fashioned from navy blue silk chiffon brocaded with metallic gold flowers. The gold is not real metal; these flowers will not tarnish or fade. The dress is both interlined and lined with taupe silk crepe. The coat is left sheer and is elaborately embellished with jeweled beads and gold braid.

The jeweled trim on the coat is more beautiful up close than online. It was difficult to capture the three dimensional quality and the sparkle. The pattern combines blue crystals with emerald green, doughnut-shaped beads, braided gold balls, iridescent sequins, ropes of iridescent navy beads, gold beads, and hanging blue-and-gold glass tear drops.

With buttons all the way down the front, the coat can be worn open or closed. The dress closes above the deep side slit with a hand-stitched zipper. The label reads "Galanos."

Galanos worked for fashion designers in Paris and New York City before opening Galanos Originals in Los Angeles in 1951. His superb workmanship and luxurious designs were very expensive. In the 1980s, some of his evening dresses sold for $17,000 new.

The condition is excellent and wearable.

vintagetextile.com

 

[DosViolines]

Galanos Futuristic Evening Dress
American, late 1970s
Single left shoulder sheath of sensual metallic jersey with gold/bronze iridescence, the right bust girded by a single left halter encrusted with gold and silver metal rods swimming up through pinned glass beads, skirt slit on left side to above knee, size 4/6, labeled: Galanos.
Excellent condition.

doylenewyork

 

[SomethingElse]

A Passion for Perfection: James Galanos, Gustave Tassell, Ralph Rucci - September 15, 2007 - March 9, 2008

The opening exhibition in the Joan Spain Gallery, A Passion for Perfection highlights works from the Museum's costume collection by three award-winning fashion designers from Philadelphia: James Galanos, Gustave Tassell, and Ralph Rucci.

Connected by a web of personal influence and shared roots, each of these couturiers has had an illustrious career, bringing to ready-to-wear apparel the craftsmanship and attention to detail that marks Paris haute couture.

Curator . Dilys Blum • Curator of Costume and Textiles
Location: Spain Gallery, Perelman Building

c. 1957. Bead and sequin embroidery on sheer cotton.

philamuseum.org

 

[SomethingElse]

James Galanos is the designer of this beautiful evening gown, another example from the wardrobe of a former American Beauty Queen.

Printed and woven red chiffon is hand tucked for the bodice and sleeves of this flowing chiffon dress. Dashes and dots in shades of red and white are sprinkled on the fabric, like confetti on New Years' Eve. The bodice is embellished with an abstract pattern of brilliant silver sequins, and deep bands of sequins encircle the cuffs as well.

There is a narrow silk skirt in the same cheerful fabric, meant to be worn under the sheer gown. This skirt has an elastic waistband and a left side zipper, along with a 21" deep slit on one side for ease of movement. The skirt is fully lined in red silk. Completing the ensemble is a woven belt of red silk chiffon which can be worn with the dress or pair it with the skirt and a white blouse for a second outfit.

The quality of materials and handwork in this outfit is superb. All three pieces are in immaculate condition.

katykane.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Mini Dresses, Late 1960s.

whitakerauction.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Dress, Coat & Hat Set, 1960s.

whitakerauction.com

 

[SomethingElse]

c. 1963. Colorful ease...James Galanos of California present casual ease with every bit of femininity in his Fall 1963 collection shown in New York. The designer creates a gala of color with this tunic-back coat done in multi-colored striped velvet. Wideness is the keynote of elegance as he shapes the short coat with a fitted front, a billowing back set off by a wide collar and wide sleeves. The colorful top is coupled with a simple black wool dress.

corbis.com

 

[Spiral1532]

American fashion designer James Galanos pins fabric onto a dressmaker's dummy, 1954.

American fashion designer James Galanos examines a bolt of fabric, 1954.

gettyimages

 

[purpleviolets]

1970s Galanos Sequinned Chiffon Cocktail Dress

source: enokiworld.com

 

[purpleviolets]

1970s Galanos Printed Silk Crepe "Keyhole" Dress

source: enokiworld.com

 

[purpleviolets]

1970s Galanos Black and Plum Toga Dress

source: enokiworld.com

 

[MissMagAddict]

Vanity Fair November 1985
Galamorous Galanos


source | vanityfair via justaguy