Cassini, Oleg

▪ 2007

Oleg Cassini Loiewski  French-born American fashion designer (b. April 11, 1913, Paris, France—d. March 17, 2006, Long Island, N.Y.), achieved fame as a celebrity couturier. Cassini's 70-year career was the longest of any American designer, but he was best known for creating the stylish wardrobe that helped make first lady Jacqueline Kennedy a fashion icon in the early 1960s. Cassini, the son of a Russian count, grew up in Italy before moving in 1936 to the U.S., where he became a citizen in 1942. He initially found success in Hollywood, designing costumes for a series of glamorous movie stars. In 1950 he launched his own label, which included affordable women's fashions and, later, men's clothing. Named Kennedy's official designer in 1960, Cassini created her widely imitated look, typified by A-line dresses and pillbox hats. He subsequently became one of the first designers to sign licensing deals, which allowed companies to put his name on various products for a fee. The debonair Cassini was also noted for his high-profile personal relationships with several Hollywood actresses.

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