In 1954, at only 29 years old designer James Galanos wins the most important design prizes in U.S.A.

 

This line male seated tailor-fashion in a crowd of live models and was dummies has found sudden success on the frontiers of fashion. After three short years in his own business, James Galanos, 29, Philadelphia-born of Greek parents, has won U.S. design's two most important annual prizes - the Neiman-Marcus Design Award and the Coty American Fashion Critics' "Winnie". After an apprenticeship in Paris, Galanos started his business in Los Angeles in 1951 with $200 and a staff o two.

Five dresses which constituted his first "collection" were snapped up by a local store. In 1954, with 50 workers, Galano's designs sell to 45 top U.S. stores, the number of creations sold going up to nearly 1,000 of a single $325 style. Galanos dresses (he makes no suits) are not radical in design but are intricately cut to look simple and are made of spectacular and expensive fabrics. 

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