Geoffrey Beene (1924-2004) was an American fashion designer considered one of the most extravagant creators of his day. He was born in Haynesville, Louisiana, into a wealthy medical family. When he was old enough to choose a career, Beene thought of following in his family’s footsteps and began his medical studies at Tulane University, but in 1945 he dropped out and moved to California to enter the world of medicine. fashion.
In California he began working as an assistant in a department store clothing chain I. Magnin, and two years later, in 1947, he moved to New York to study at the Traphagen fashion school. Shortly after, she moved to Paris, to continue her training at the Julian Academy in the city.
In 1963, the American designer created his namesake brand and opened his first store on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, New York. His style quickly stood out among American society due to his novel ‘full circle’ approach to design, his use of triangular and boomerang shapes. In addition, his creations in gray flannel, his party dresses in jersey wool and his lace quickly managed to conquer the hearts and wardrobes of women of the time. His clientele included many celebrities such as Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, Faye Dunaway and Glenn Close.
Building on his success, Beene soon expanded his business and launched a menswear collection, adapting his knowledge of quality and comfort with fresh, more casual designs. And it is that, the designer was also known for being one of the first couturiers to create a more affordable clothing line, apart from his collection with more exclusive designs, which used to be seen at large events, such as the Oscars Film Awards Gala. .
In 1975, the couturier set out to conquer Europe, presenting his collections in Milan, Rome, Paris, Brussels and Vienna. In addition, in that year he also launched his first perfume, with which he won the Marshall Field Disinction of Design Awards.
Throughout his career, the man who was considered the ambassador of American fashion garnered numerous awards and recognitions in the world of fashion, including eight Coty awards, four CFDA awards, including one for his career in 1998. Many museums now house her designs among their collections, including the Costume Institute at the Met.
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