Adolfo Sardinia
About
the designers
Adolfo was born on 15 Feb. 1933 in Havana, Cuba. He worked first as a milliner, then trained at Chanel and Balenciaga. He immigrated to New York in 1948, and became an assistant to a milliner.
In 1953, he became chief designer for Emme, a wholesale millinery company. Adolfo received a Coty Fashion Award in 1953, for his innovative and dramatic millinery designs.
He returned to Paris to apprentice at the House of Chanel, to sharpen his skills in couture. In 1963, with financial assistant from fellow designer Bill Blass, he opened a millinery house under his own name, Adolfo Inc. In the 1970s and 1980s, his collections were based on knitted Chanel-styled suits and dresses that appealed to a conservative, high-end market.
In 1993, Adolfo closed his custom workroom to concentrate on his licensing business. In the early 1970s Adolfo produced a series of knits inspired by Chanel's famous tweed suits.
The Look
An Adolfo lady should look simple, classic and comfortable.
Who Wears It
In the past Mr and Mrs Wyatt Cooper weared his refined clothes. Inspired by Coco Chanel’s jersey sportswear and famous suits, his famous knitted suits were bought by New York’s old society.