Oleg Cassini
Fashion Designer
About him
- Born on April 11, 1913 in Paris, France.
- Died on March 17, 2006 in Manhasset, NY at age 92.
- Spent his early childhood between Russia and Kopenhagen, Denmark, where his father was a diplomat with the Russian Embassy.
- His family lived in Russia until 1917, when the communists seized their ancestral estate and their family fled to Florence, Italy.
- He helped his mother, who worked as a fashion designer of hats, and traveled with her to Paris twice a year.
- In Paris, he studied and sketched new French fashions.
- In the 1920's-1930's he studied art at the Academia Belle Arte in Florence.
- In 1933 he opened his own design studio.
Coming to America
- He moved to New York in 1936 and then to Hollywood.
- In the 40's and 50's he designed costumes for 20th Century Fox and other studios and stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, Grace Kelly, and Gene Tierney.
- He established his reputation by designing for films.
- He and, actress, Gene Tierney eloped to Las Vegas.
- He became an American citizen in 1942.
Life in America
- He served in the Coast Guard and in the U.S. Cavalry Corps, and earned his lieutenant's bars.
- After the end of WWII he was discharged and moved back to New York, where he opened the 'Oleg Cassini' Salon.
- In 1950, he played the role of a Fashion Designer for a model, played by his wife, Gene Tierney, in the film "Where the Sidewalk Ends.
- In 1952, Oleg Cassini divorced from Gene Tierney.
- Tierney had an affair with then representative John F. Kennedy.
- He further built his name by designing for First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, creating "The Jackie Look".
"The clean lines, gorgeous fabrics, and timeless silhouettes of Oleg Cassini's "Jackie Look" have transcended fashion trends – and they're still stunning today."
Fashion and Style
- American Fashion Designer
- Mr. Cassini had the longest career of any designer in America, covering seven decades.
- He designed clothes for some of the world's most glamorous women as well as middle-class shoppers.
- He was known for women's dresses and gowns.
- The Cassini signature was also available, under license, to the makers of women's hosiery, hats, shoes, gloves, girdles, jewelry, furs, swimsuits, sportswear and sunglasses.
- He designed men's slacks, neckties, underwear, belts and sweaters.
- He also designed linens for the bathroom and bedroom.
- "My philosophy is this: Do not tamper with the anatomy of a woman's body; do not camouflage it," he told The New York Post in 1961. "I don't want every woman to look like a little boy", said Cassini.
Collections
- Women's Ready-to-wear Collection
- Women's Couture Collection
- Menswear Collection
- Faux Fur Collection
- Platinum Collection: evening and bridal gowns
New York Bridal Fashion Week - Oleg Cassini Fall 2015 (First Look)