Impressive Fashion Designs by Irene Galitzine in the 1960s

Born 1916 in Tiflis, Russia Empire, Russian-Georgian fashion designer Irene Galitzine joined the Italian designers Sorelle Fontana in 1943 and worked with them for 3 years. In 1946, she opened her own salon and presented her first collection. In 1960, she achieved great success with the launch of her palazzo pyjamas which were wide legged evening trousers made of soft silk. Evening pyjamas became a firm fixture of the fashion scene during the 1960s.

Fashion designs by Irene Galitzine in the 1960s

In 1962, Galitzine was named Designer of the Year by the Italian fashion press. In 1965, she won the British Sunday Times International Fashion Award and was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame. Since then, her creations have been worn by some of the most famous women in the world such as Sofia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Lee Radziwill, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Princess Ira von Fürstenberg, Queen Paola of Belgium, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, Duchess of Windsor, Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari, Merle Oberon, Audrey Hepburn, Hope Portocarrero, Marella Agnelli, Greta Garbo, Catherine Spaak, Pamela Churchill Harriman and Claudia Cardinale.

In 1990, the Galitzine label was purchased by the Xines Company. She was subsequently sentenced to six months in jail for tax evasion. In September 1996, Galitizine opened her first boutique in Moscow, and in November of the same year she published her biography entitled From Russia to Russia.

Galitzine died in 2006 at her home in Rome, aged 90. These vintage photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Irene Galitzine in the 1960s.

Model in bright white raw silk slim pants and tunic top, top is encrusted with topaz and gold threads, by Irene Galitzine, photo by Lillian Bassman, Greece, Harper's Bazaar, April 1960

Nena von Schlebrugge in dazzling pink bell-sleeved silk shantung tunic and bell-bottomed pants by Irene Galitzine, coiffure by Monti, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, December 1961

Nena von Schlebrugge in peacock-blue silk shantung bell-shaped tunic over narrow pipestem trousers cuffed in fringe by Irene Galitzine, coiffure by Monti, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, December 1961

Gitta Schilling in an easy top with wide batwing sleeves in fine silk lavender jersey with pants in matching silk from Galitzine's Boutique Collection, photo by Michel Molinare, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1962

Gitta Schilling in long white evening sheath in silk gauze sparkling with crystal and emerald embroidery on the bodice and hem by Galitzine, photo by Lina Tenca, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1962

Gitta Schilling in lush grass-green wool coat, high-waisted in front and dipping in back by Galitzine, worn with cream leather Nefertiti hat by Canessa for Galitzine, photo by Lina Tenca, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1962

Veruschka in evening suit of black ciré with the shine and slick of oilskin embossed with flowers, by Irene Galitzine, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, October 1, 1963

Maggi Eckardt in long black evening coat lit with the glow of pearl buttons by Irene Galitzine, coiffure by Filippo of Rome, photo by Jeanloup Sieff, Harper's Bazaar, March 1964

Princess Luciana Pignatelli in gold cloqué lamé sheath, the top cut and seamed like doublet, by Galitzine, coiffure by Imo of Elizabeth Arden, Rome, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, November 15, 1964

Suzy Parker in sheer organza toga of orange and azure over a cowled halter top and bikini shorts by Galitzine, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, May 1, 1964

Agneta Frieberg in silk chiffon harem pajamas tinted in green and lilac by Galitzine for Van Raalte at Elizabeth Arden, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, May 1965

Agneta Frieberg in weightless silk chiffon kerchief nightgown in shades of turquoise and pink by Galitzine for Van Raalte at Elizabeth Arden, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, May 1965

China Machado in silk gauze pajamas in blurred colors of mauve, pink and blue, bias-wrapped over one shoulder by Galitzine, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1965

Daniela Bianchi is wearing halter-wrap sleep sari designed by Galitzine for Van Raalte of Italy, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, 1965

Dolores Wettach in transparent coral chiffon nightdress with panels drifting away from v-neck by Galitzine for Van Raalte, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, November 15, 1965

Dorothy McGowan and model in maillot and skirt-wrap by Galitzine, Harper's Bazaar, 1965

Jean Shrimpton in bias-cut backless spiral sheath in black cloqué draped from an asymmetric halter neckline by Galitzine, coiffure by Alexandre, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, September 1965

Sylvia Dakis in suit by Galitzine, photo by Regina Relang, Rome, 1965

Veruschka in palazzo pajamas by Galitzine, bracelets by Cartier, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, 1965

Alberta Tiburzi in sculptured evening envelope of sky-blue crêpe double-faced with warm gold which tints the folds by Galitzine, photo by Hiro, Harper's Bazaar, October 1966

Leslie Caron in pale pink over rose chiffon nightdress with cowled halter neckline and sashed pink and rose ribbons by Galitzine for Van Raalte, photo by Henry Clarke at the Royal Pavillion, Brighton, Vogue, April 15, 1966

Barbara Bach in silvery quilted dress by Galitzine, photo by Johnny Moncada, Linea Italia, 1967

Kecia Nyman in caftan of iridescent gilded chiffon lamé above narrow trousers by Irene Galitzine, golden slippers by Corfam, photo by Bill King, Harper's Bazaar, December 1967

Model in rainbow-colored gown by Galitzine, photo by Johnny Moncada, Linea Italia, 1967

Model is wearing Helena Rubinstein's Illumination Gold makeup and earrings and lamé pyjamas by Galitzine, photo by Bill King, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1967

Veruschka in long white crêpe dress with strands of coral bead fringes over the top by Galitzine, photo by Franco Rubartelli, Vogue, April 1, 1967

Alberta Tiburzi in plaid coat by Galitzine, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, Linea Italia, 1968

Berkley Johnson in black crêpe hip-pants and small brassière under a floating black chiffon shirt by Galitzine, earrings by K.J.L. photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, November 15, 1968

Berkley Johnson in pantsuit of silver eyelet vinyl, side-closed tunic over straight pants by Galitzine, sandals by Paco Rabanne, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, November 15, 1968

Florinda Bolkan in heavy golden crêpe dress with v-shaped inverted panel in front by Galitzine, photo by Bill King at Rome's Cabala Club, Harper's Bazaar, April 1968

Ingmari Lamy in long evening dress of heavy white crêpe with plunging neckline edged in a blaze of feathered silver stipled with diamanté by Irene Galitzine, photo by Bill King, Harper's Bazaar, October 1968

Sandra Paul in stunningly simple gray worsted coatdress with white polo-necked vest and cuffs, crossover line buckles on the hip worn with white turban by Galitzine, photo by Richard Dormer, Rome, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1968