Amazing Fashion Designs by Ferdinando Sarmi in the 1960s

Born 1912 into a wealthy Italian family and raised in Trieste, Count Ferdinando Sarmi expressed interest in fashion as a youth but was discouraged from pursuing a design career by his father. He stated in a 1965 interview with Time, “in Italy, when the oldest son tells his father he wants to be a dress designer, it’s like a woman saying she intends to be a prostitute.”

Fashion designs by Ferdinando Sarmi in the 1960s

Sarmi’s father sent him to study at the University of Siena, where he received a doctor of law degree. Despite his professional training, he still desired a career in fashion. He became a costume designer and created costumes for two Italian films: Musica Proibita (released as Forbidden Music in the US) in 1942 and Cronaca di un Amore (released as Story of a Love Affair in the US) in 1950. Sarmi was given a leading role in Cronaca di un Amore, but it was his first and only on-screen performance. He left Italy in 1950 to work in New York fashion.

From 1951 to 1959, Sarmi was head designer for Elizabeth Arden. It was during this time that he developed a reputation as a top designer, wooing an influential clientele that included celebrities, New York socialites, and foreign dignitaries. He was best known for his opulent evening looks, and for his use of extravagant fabrics.

Sarmi left Arden and opened his own Seventh Avenue boutique in 1959. In 1960, he was awarded the prestigious Coty Award for fashion design. His collection included haute couture and ready-to-wear apparel that set the pace for 1960s fashion in New York. His designs commonly featured intricate embroideries, vivid colors, and racy hemlines.

During the late 1960s, the house fell upon financial difficulties. In 1972, his business was renamed Ferdinando Sarmi, but it closed shortly thereafter. By 1977, Sarmi had resettled in Italy, and he died in Verona in 1982. These amazing photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Ferdinando Sarmi in the 1960s.

Betsy Pickering in pale blue satin stole bow-fastened on white satin strapless gown rising in front and dipping in back by Sarmi, shoes by Christian Dior, Albert Weiss earrings, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, November 1960

Revlon Touch and Glow ad, gown by Sarmi, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1960

Sondra Peterson wearing a hat of pink and red carnations by Sally Victor, gray wool suit by Sarmi, photo by Karen Radkai used for cover, Vogue, 1960

Isabella Albonico in pale pink suit of alpaca, wool and silk with huskier pink overblouse by Sarmi, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, February 15, 1961

Dorothea McGowan in tangerine velvet evening dress, the bodice embroidered in gold, the jacket cuffed in sable, by Sarmi, coiffure by Kenneth Batelle, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, November 1, 1962

Kouka Denis in full length coat of copper silk faille, thin through the arms and ringed in sable by Count Sarmi, hat by Adolfo, hair baubles by Kenneth, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, November 1962

Marola Witt in dreamy evening dress of blue chiffon, the skirt greened by a top layer of yellow sashed and bowed in white satin by Sarmi, jewelry by Cartier, coiffure by Enrico Caruso, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, June 1962

Model in soft, feminine princess coat with bias-cut skirt and long sweep down the back in blue wool plaid, by Sarmi, photo by Bruce Davidson, Vogue, March 1, 1962

Tilly Tizzani (l) in rose and white silk chiffon dress, Nena (r) in blue and yellow silk fantasy, both by Sarmi, volatile coiffures by Mr. Enny of House of Revlon, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, March 1962

"Black Evening Dress in Flight", gown by Sarmi, photo by Hiro, Harper's Bazaar, October 1963

Dorothea McGowan in silk chiffon painted by Tzaims Luksus, wrapped in taffeta stole, designed by Sarmi, photo by Gordon Parks, Vogue, February 1963

Ina Balke (left) in pink and melon painted chiffon with skirt slit to the knee, model (right) in strapless pink and yellow dress with train, both by Sarmi, photo by Gordon Parks, Vogue, February 1, 1963

Model in beautiful dress of silk organza over silk taffeta covered with masses of tiny flowers, the short-sleeved top is embroidered with floss, by Sarmi, photo by Gordon Parks, Vogue, February 1, 1963

Model in green and yellow painted chiffon and Dorothea in strapless orange, yellow and pale green chiffon with pink taffeta shawl, all by Sarmi, photo by Gordon Parks, Vogue, February 1, 1963

Models in blue, mauve and green with cover-up top and pink, purple and pale blue with cocoon of taffeta, all by Sarmi, photo by Gordon Parks, Vogue, February 1, 1963

Tilly Tizzani in clouds of chiffon of pinks and yellows with panels fluttering out behind by Sarmi, photo by Hiro, Harper's Bazaar, March 1963

Dorothea McGowan in gown by Sarmi, Max Factor compacts advertisement, 1964

Mirella Petteni in little brown top of double chiffon over a long full skirt of silk taffeta printed in brilliant burnished flowers by Sarmi, coiffure by Pierre of the House of Revlon, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, March 1, 1964

Wilhelmina in a one-piece dress with a small top of double red chiffon tied over a chiffon skirt in a heavenly shade of blue by Sarmi, jewelry from Tiffany, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, March 1, 1964

Katherine Pastrie in a floating silk chiffon gown of flowers in yellow and green on gold, drifting from a feathered bosom bound with a brown velvet bow by Sarmi, coiffure by Caruso, photo by James Moore, Harper's Bazaar, March 1965

Mirella Petteni in lace cage of apple green over a black silk shift by Sarmi, necklaces by Mimi di N, photo by Gordon Parks, Vogue, March 1, 1965

Marie-Lise Gres in a silk strapless evening dress and stole of citrus yellow and sea green by Sarmi, photo by Henry Clarke for Vogue, 1966

Veruschka in evening dress by Sarmi, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, September 1, 1966

Diana Newman in a whirlwind of pleats blowing free from tiny halter shoulders into circles of olive, peacock and red by Sarmi, feather earrings by Maison de Fou, photo by Neal Barr, Harper's Bazaar, March 1967

Isa Stoppi in black velvet jumper-pajamas with kimono sleeves, swimming with waves of silver Oriental flowers by Sarmi, earrings by Atelier Nina, photo by Neal Barr, Harper's Bazaar, October 1967

Silk organza dress in a warm brown sashed with a red belt by Sarmi, photo at the Villa Palagonia, Sicily, by Henry Clarke, Vogue US, 1967

Françoise Leroy in yellow, floaty silk georgette dress with crisp white organdie collar and cuffs and shiny white belt by Sarmi, photo by Henry Clarke, Mexico, Vogue, December 1, 1968

Paula Pritchett in evening dress of ribbon laced with cellophane showered with crystals, the hem clears the knee in front and to the floor in back by Sarmi, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, March 1, 1968

Editha Dussler in raspberry-red organza dress framing the back in an oval of sparkling embroidery by Sarmi, coiffure by Kenneth, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, February 1, 1969

Editha Dussler in ruffled silk georgette dress with speckled ostrich feathers around the wrists and swagging the skirt waist to hem by Sarmi, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, February 1, 1969