Gustave Tassell

Who is Gustave Tassell?

Gustave Tassell was an American fashion designer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tassell studied painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Moving to New York City, he worked in the advertising and display department for Hattie Carnegie, who was well known in the fashion design world for both custom-made and ready-to-wear clothes. Later, he designed custom clothes in Philadelphia. Lived in Paris 1952-54 working as sketch artist for Jacques Fath and freelance as well. Became a designer for Hattie Carnegie, 1954-55. Managed own design firm, Los Angeles, 1956–72; took over design at Norman Norell, New York, after death of Norell, 1972–76; designer, Michael Forrest Furs, 1976; reestablished own firm, from 1976.

Tassell's design sensibility changed little from the 20 to the 21st century—he sought to create forward-looking fashion appropriate for elegant, confident women. He envisioned designs in natural fibers able to serve many purposes, with changing silhouette according to how the garment was buttoned, seamed, or tucked. Tassell aimed to produce affordable clothing with a sense of proportion, grace, and design.