James Galanos was born in 1924 in Philadelphia, PA. After graduation from high school in 1942, Galanos enrolled at the Traphagen School of Fashion, in New York City. He completed two semesters before leaving to gain experience as a designer at the firm of Hattie Carnegie.
He established Galanos Originals in Los Angeles and went on to create a successful ready-to-wear business. In 1947, Galanos went to Paris, where he secured a position as apprentice designer at the House of Robert Piguet. Galanos stayed for just one year, yet the lessons in French fabrics and couture construction he learned at Piguet's, had a lasting impact on his later career.
Galano’s evening dresses emphasized finesse and luxury. During his career he explored many different silhouettes, including full bell-shaped skirts and dropped-waist; “ballerina” dresses in the 1950s; miniskirts and caftans in the 1960s and 1970s, and off-the-shoulder sheaths in the 1980s and 1990s. His trademark silhouette, however, is a columnar sheath shape, featuring wide shoulders and a long, slim skirt.This simple, understated form offers the perfect foundation for another of Galano’s trademarks, exquisite embroidery. Nancy Reagan, the former first lady of the United States, often wore Galanos' gowns at formal functions.
This one is on sale at ladydaysvintage. This gown is absolutely amazing. Heavily beaded with sequin accents, amazing sexy cutout back, the column straight skirt has the right amount of leg slit. Sexy, classy, and a classic.
