charles wilson brega james (1906 - 1978)

Explore the innovative designs of Charles James (1906-1978), a British-American couturier renowned for sculpted ballgowns, architectural silhouettes & masterful draping. Discover his lasting influence on fashion history.

Trained as an architect, Charles James was credited with raising fashion from an applied art to a pure art form. Cristóbal Balenciaga called James “the world’s best and only dressmaker,” and Christian Dior credited him with inspiring his revolutionary “New Look” collection. James