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James Galanos sketches for Jimi Originals

 Collection
Identifier: KA-0066

Summary

In 1950, fashion designer James Galanos (1924- ) started Jimi Originals with Mary Scourby. The company only existed for a short time, but it was the first company to market Galanos' creations under his name. The collection consists of twelve Jimi Originals fashion sketches as well as invoices and notes. Galanos was a critic at Parsons School of Design from 1962 to 1968.

Dates

  • probably 1950

Creator

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents of Collection

The twelve sketches in the collection are executed in pencil and depict women's blouses, dresses, skirts, and suits. The collection also includes two business cards for Jimi Originals, receipts from garment and textiles manufacturers, and itemized lists of expenses dating from May and June 1950.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment.

Use Restrictions

To publish images of material from this collection, permission must be obtained in writing from the New School Archives. Please contact: archivist@newschool.edu.

Biographical note

James Galanos was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1924. After studying at the Traphagen School from 1942-1943, he was hired as an assistant by the designer Hattie Carnegie. He was employed at Columbia Pictures, Robert Piguet, and Davidow, among other short-term projects, during the remainder of the decade.

In 1950, Galanos started Jimi Originals with a friend, Mary Scourby. The company only existed for a short time, but it was the first company to market Galanos' creations under his name. In 1951, Galanos moved to Los Angeles, where he established Galanos Originals. He received the Coty American Fashion Critics Award in 1954 and again in 1956, before his induction into the Coty American Hall of Fame in 1959. He received the Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985. James Galanos served as a visting critic in the Parsons School of Design Fashion Design Department from 1962-1968.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Alexandra Mackler, niece of Mary Scourby, 2002.

Title
Guide to the James Galanos sketches for Jimi Originals
Status
Completed
Author
New School Archives and Special Collections Staff
Date
July 27, 2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin