“America’s greatest couturier, the world’s best and only dressmaker who has raised it from an applied art to a pure art form.” - Cristóbal Balenciaga on Charles James. Charles James is revered as one of the most significant couturiers of the 20th century. Christian Dior cited him as the inspiration for his groundbreaking 1947 New Look collection and Balenciaga as the greatest couturier in the world. Known for his fabulously expensive and dramatic gowns, his designs incorporated the essence of modernity but still made reference to elements of historicism. Widely considered the only true American couturier, Charles James has achieved an almost cult like status not only for his exquisite creations but also for his dramatic life and complex personality. He viewed his design output as artistic creation - he was an artist and an architect, who just happened to be working with Fashion as his medium. Please follow @fashionandwithscottschiavone on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fashionandwithscottschiavone/ And please, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to Fashion &… with Scott Schiavone, Fashion Curator. #fashion #fashionand #fashionhistory #fashionhistorian #fashioncurator #charlesjames #charlesjamesbeyondfashion #couture #fashionandarchitecture #Voguemagazine #vogue #20thcenturyfashion #1940sfashion #1950sfashion #americancouture