Ben Zuckerman, a Romanian-American fashion designer born in 1890, began his career as a floor sweeper at a dress factory. Over time, he honed his skills, and by the age of 21, he established his first business in collaboration with Joseph Hoffman. In the late 1920s, this venture evolved into a new company, Zuckerman & Kraus, which continued until 1949.
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| Fashion designs in the 1950s by Ben Zuckerman |
Following his travels in Europe and a tour of the United States, Ben Zuckerman returned to New York and established his eponymous company, "Ben Zuckerman," in 1950. Despite lacking sewing skills, Zuckerman earned the title of the "Master Tailor of Seventh Avenue." His boldly colored suits and coats gained widespread admiration, significantly influencing the fashion choices of American women. Renowned for resembling the craftsmanship of couturiers like Dior and Balenciaga, Zuckerman's creations gained further prestige when Grace Kelly wore one of his coat and dress ensembles in 1956 upon her arrival in Monaco to marry Prince Rainier. She proudly donned the same coat nine years later while pregnant with her youngest child. Zuckerman also designed clothing for Jacqueline Kennedy during her tenure as the First Lady.
Retiring in 1968, Zuckerman closed his business. In 1973, he and Shacter became charter members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Zuckerman received several accolades throughout his career, including the Coty Award in 1952, the Return Award in 1957, and the Hall of Fame Award in 1961. He was also honored with the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1951, alongside ceramicist Ernestine Cannon and ready-to-wear designer Jane Derby.
Ben Zuckerman passed away at his Palm Beach home in 1979 at the age of 89. These captivating photos portray classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Ben Zuckerman in the 1950s.
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| Cherry Nelms wearing a worsted tweed suit from Juilliard, with the skirt featuring stiffened hips and side slits designed by Ben Zuckerman. The ensemble is accessorized with a belt from Midtown and a civet satchel from Madame Thea. The photograph, taken by Karen Radkai, was featured in Harper's Bazaar in March 1951. |
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| Kitty Kopet donning a gray Forstmann flannel suit designed by Ben Zuckerman, captured in a photograph by Karen Radkai at the Rockefeller Center Skating Rink. The image was featured in Harper's Bazaar in March 1951. |
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| Mary Jane Russell wearing a Worumbo gray flannel suit created by Ben Zuckerman, complemented by a hat from Chanda and a brooch designed by Schlumberger. The photograph, taken by Erwin Blumenfeld, was featured in Vogue on February 1, 1951. |
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| Dovima in high-waisted coat in slightly silvered brushed grape wool, the collar is big and set away from the neck, by Ben Zuckerman, hat by John Frederics, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, August 1, 1952 |
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| Dressy fitted coat of white wool fleece by Ben Zuckerman and small angora veiled hat by John Frederics is worn by Mrs. Gene Skora , photo by Nina Leen, National Gallery, Washington D.C., February 1952 |
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| Model in black and white wool coat lined in scarlet taffeta by Ben Zuckerman, Harper's Bazaar, March 1952 |
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| Nina de Voogt in a suit that doubles as a dress in gray nubbed worsted by Ben Zuckerman, hat by Sally Victor, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, January 1, 1952 |
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| Nina de Voogt in coat that wraps closely or hangs loosely of wheat wool tweed by Ben Zuckerman, black silk organdy sailor by Irene of New York, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, February 1, 1952 |
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| Barbara Mullen in coat by Ben Zuckerman, hat by John-Frederics, jewelry by Verdura, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, February 1, 1953 |
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| Dovima wearing a taupe wool and velvet suit by Ben Zuckerman with a red hat by Jacques Fath, photo by Horst P. Horst used for cover of Vogue, 1953 |
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| Nina de Voogt in elegant brown sueded wool suit with EMBA mink collar and cuffs by Ben Zuckerman, velvet pill-box by Dior-New York, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, October 1, 1953 |
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| Nancy Berg in Forstmann wool doeskin suit lined in satin by Ben Zuckerman, wrapped turban hat by Irene, jewelry by Harry Winston, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, September 1954 |
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| Model in Anglo wool suit with a 7/8 length topcoat by Ben Zuckerman, Karakul tambourine by Irene of New York, Kislav gloves, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Town & Country, September 1955 |
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| Dovima in beige lightweight wool suit with flare-pleated skirt, by Ben Zuckerman, flowered silk turban by Adolfo of Emme, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, March 1956 |
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| Joanna McCormick in black and white tweed suit with dyed fox collar by Ben Zuckerman, turban by Sally Victor with gold and diamond clip by Jean Schlumberger, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, October 1956 |
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| Virginia Taylor in mauve herringbone wool sheath and a sheared Hollander-dyed muskrat jacket by Ben Zuckerman, grape-blue hat by Hattie Carnegie, jewelry by David Webb, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, September 1, 1956 |
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| Ann Farrar in pale amethyst coat of airily woven wool with large pockets and small sleeves by Ben Zuckerman, felt and chiffon hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Frances McLaughlin-Gill, Vogue, March 15, 1957 |
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| Joanna McCormick and two other models in short evening dress worn with matching long coats, all by Ben Zuckerman, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, September 15, 1957 |
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| Joanna McCormick in clear blue textured wool coat-dress with black-dyed mink collar and cuffs by Ben Zuckerman, hat by Emme, gold and diamond jewelry by David Webb, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, August 15, 1957 |
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| Joanna McCormick wearing a plaid 3/4 length flared coat over slim skirt by Ben Zuckerman and a mink beret and leather briefcase style purse, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, 1957 |
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| Lucinda Hollingsworth in brown-beige Forstmann wool suit over a blouse of silk surah by Ben Zuckerman, unpressed straw hat by Emme, jewelry by David Webb, bag by Lucille, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, February 1, 1957 |
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| Anne St. Marie, ensemble by Ben Zuckerman, Texolite paint ad, Vogue, April 15, 1958 |
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| Ivy Nicholson in silvery slender brocade dinner dress and matching coat by Ben Zuckerman, violet zinnia of enamel on palladium with a single diamond at its heart by Erwin Pearl, photo by William Helburn, Harper's Bazaar, November 1958 |
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| Jessica Ford in Spring-green wool coat by Ben Zuckerman, a silk wrapped turban in complimentary colors by Adolfo of Emme, photo by Frances McLaughlin-Gill, Vogue, January 1, 1958 |
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| Joanna McCormick in brown suit with natural Russian lynx collar by Ben Zuckerman, hat by Emme, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue 1958 |
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| Monique Chevalier in brilliant lilac wool tweed suit worn with a hat and blouse of ruby-red velvet by Ben Zuckerman, hat by Emme, jewelry by David Webb, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, November 1, 1958 |
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| Renée Breton in airy tweed coat of red lilac which curves to the body in front and blown loose in back, by Ben Zuckerman, off-white cloche by Emme, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, February 1958 |
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| Anne St. Marie in gold silk brocade dress and jacket, jacket is lined in sable, by Ben Zuckerman, diamond and emerald jewelry by Harry Winston, photo by Tom Palumbo, Vogue, September 1, 1959 |
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| Carmen Dell' Orefice in smoky charcoal suit of British wool tweed, tunic jacket is collarless and belted in black kidskin, by Ben Zuckerman, hat by Emme, photo by Saul Leiter, Harper's Bazaar, September 1959 |
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| Model in blackish-brown tweed suit with longer belted jacket and dark ranch mink cravat by Ben Zuckerman, mink hat by Sally Victor, jewelry by Verdura, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, September 15, 1959 |
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| Model in mauve brocade dinner suit, its loose jacket lined in white mink, by Ben Zuckerman, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, coiffure by Jacy Salon, photo by Saul Leiter, Harper's Bazaar, October 1959 |
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| Simone d'Aillencourt in nut-beige wool jersey suit, the short jacket has elasticized waist above slender gathered skirt by Ben Zuckerman, hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, February 1959 |
