Adolfo SARDIÑA (American, b. Cuban, 1923-2021)
Adolfo SARDIÑA, a Cuban born American fashion designer, best known as Adolfo, began his successful fashion career in Paris as a milliner an apprentice to Balenciaga. American buyers admired his work and encouraged him to come to New York in 1948, where he apprenticed at Bergdorf Goodman. In 1953 he became a designer for the milliner Emme. Some hats he designed to accompany the clothing of Norman NORELL. Adolfo hats earned him his first Coty Award in 1955.
In 1962 Adolfo started his own business with a $10,000 loan from Bill BLASS. A few years later, on the theory that if he could design a hat he could design anything, Adolfo started making his Chanel-inspired suits and his unusual evening gowns. The list of his celebrity clients included Duchess of Windsor, Gloria VANDERBILT, and Betsy BLOOMINGDALE, Jackie KENNEDY ONASSIS and Nancy REAGAN, who wore a red Adolfo dress to her husband’s second inaugural ball. In 1963 he launched a bridge line, Adolfo Réalités, and a less expensive line, Adolfo II. In 1969 he was presented with a special Coty Award for his contribution to design from head to toe. Adolfo carried his theory further in 1976 with men’s clothes for Leon of Paris.
In the short time Adolfo has been in men’s wear, he has won much acclaim. He nominated for the 1977 Coty Award. Adolfo’s talents are even wider spread now—designing shirts, neck wear, activewear, personal leather goods ladies fur coats, not to mention scarfs, hats, luggage, perfume, men’s slacks, ladies knits and silk blouses, boys shirts and men’s shoes. And in 1985 he introduced Adolfo Atelier – a lower priced women’s sportswear line. In 1993 Adolfo SARDIÑA retired from custom design and closed his salon on East 57th Street, but his timeless vintage pieces remain highly sought after.
In 1962 Adolfo started his own business with a $10,000 loan from Bill BLASS. A few years later, on the theory that if he could design a hat he could design anything, Adolfo started making his Chanel-inspired suits and his unusual evening gowns. The list of his celebrity clients included Duchess of Windsor, Gloria VANDERBILT, and Betsy BLOOMINGDALE, Jackie KENNEDY ONASSIS and Nancy REAGAN, who wore a red Adolfo dress to her husband’s second inaugural ball. In 1963 he launched a bridge line, Adolfo Réalités, and a less expensive line, Adolfo II. In 1969 he was presented with a special Coty Award for his contribution to design from head to toe. Adolfo carried his theory further in 1976 with men’s clothes for Leon of Paris.
In the short time Adolfo has been in men’s wear, he has won much acclaim. He nominated for the 1977 Coty Award. Adolfo’s talents are even wider spread now—designing shirts, neck wear, activewear, personal leather goods ladies fur coats, not to mention scarfs, hats, luggage, perfume, men’s slacks, ladies knits and silk blouses, boys shirts and men’s shoes. And in 1985 he introduced Adolfo Atelier – a lower priced women’s sportswear line. In 1993 Adolfo SARDIÑA retired from custom design and closed his salon on East 57th Street, but his timeless vintage pieces remain highly sought after.