Gustave Tassell
Encyclopedia
Gustave Tassell was an American
fashion designer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
Tassell studied painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Moving to New York City
, he worked in the advertising and display department for Hattie Carnegie
, who was well known in the fashion design world for both custom-made and ready-to-wear clothes. Later, he designed custom clothes in Philadelphia. Lived in Paris
1952-54 working as sketch artist for Jacques Fath
and freelance as well. Became a designer for Hattie Carnegie, 1954-55. Managed own design firm, Los Angeles, 1956–72; took over design at Norman Norell
, New York, after death of Norell, 1972–76; designer, Michael Forrest Furs, 1976; reestablished own firm, from 1976.
Tassell's design sensibility changed little from the 20 to the 21st century—he sought to create forward-looking fashion appropriate for elegant, confident women. He envisioned designs in natural fibers able to serve many purposes, with changing silhouette according to how the garment was buttoned, seamed, or tucked. Tassell aimed to produce affordable clothing with a sense of proportion, grace, and design.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fashion designer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
Tassell studied painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Moving to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he worked in the advertising and display department for Hattie Carnegie
Hattie Carnegie
Hattie Carnegie was a fashion entrepreneur based in New York City from the 1920s to the 1960s. She was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary as Henrietta Kanengeiser....
, who was well known in the fashion design world for both custom-made and ready-to-wear clothes. Later, he designed custom clothes in Philadelphia. Lived in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
1952-54 working as sketch artist for Jacques Fath
Jacques Fath
Jacques Fath was a French fashion designer who was considered one of the three dominant influences on postwar haute couture, the others being Christian Dior and Pierre Balmain.-Career:The son of André Fath, an Alsatian-Flemish insurance agent, Fath came from a creative family...
and freelance as well. Became a designer for Hattie Carnegie, 1954-55. Managed own design firm, Los Angeles, 1956–72; took over design at Norman Norell
Norman Norell
Norman Norell was an American fashion designer, known for his elegant suits and tailored silhouettes....
, New York, after death of Norell, 1972–76; designer, Michael Forrest Furs, 1976; reestablished own firm, from 1976.
Tassell's design sensibility changed little from the 20 to the 21st century—he sought to create forward-looking fashion appropriate for elegant, confident women. He envisioned designs in natural fibers able to serve many purposes, with changing silhouette according to how the garment was buttoned, seamed, or tucked. Tassell aimed to produce affordable clothing with a sense of proportion, grace, and design.