Salvatore J. Cesarani

Salvatore J. Cesarani is among the first American fashion designers of the late 1970s and 1980s that gave American design the cachet that it has today. His classic American sense of color combined with his appreciation for fine European tailoring has created collections of clothes for both men and women that endure the test of time. Sal, also known as "New York's Dean of Good Taste", is the quintessential sartorialist – he has dedicated his career to all things relating to the quality of men’s dress (Sal is also known for his women’s wear designs). Sal continues his work today as a men’s wear designer in the U.S.A and Asia, as a professor at Parsons The New School for Design and at the New School Continuing Education Program, and through his online retail store (http://www.cesarani.com), which also offers shoppers styling tips and other information about proper attire.

Family Salvatore J. Cesarani was born on Sept 25, 1939 in New York City to Vincenzo and Carmela Cesarani. Sal married Nancy Staluppi on Sept 29, 1962 and has two children, Lisa and Christopher.

Education Cesarani’s mother was a seamstress and from a very young age his parents taught him to appreciate “le cose belle” - the beautiful things in the world. As a young boy, Sal gravitated toward the creative arts. He dreamed of becoming an artist with a positive impact. On his own website he relates how, as a young boy growing up in New York, he "... sketched the world around him ...." and was further encouraged in his teen years when, "at the age of 15, his teacher encouraged him to enter an art contest and he won."

Cesarani attended the NYC Public High School of Fashion Design (at that time is was known as the School of Thread and Needle Trade). He graduated and served in the U.S. Military as a jeep driver at Fort Dix alongside Elvis Presley. Cesarani also completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Empire State College.

Career Cesarani began his career in fashion by working for the women’s sportswear company Bobbie Brooks. He also was the window dresser for the New York City men’s haberdashery Paul Stuart. Sal worked as the Assistant to Ralph Lauren and then in 1974, he launched his own collection called Country Britches. Sal then began to license his name and created his own label, CESARANI and Salvatore J. Cesarani.

Sal received the Special Coty Award for Menswear in 1974 and 1975; Coty Award for Menswear in 1976; Fashion Group Award of Boston in 1977; and Coty Return Award in 1982. He is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and on the faculty of Parsons The New School for Design and the New School Continuing Education Program (http://www.newschool.edu/parsons/)

Sal designed the uniforms for the torch bearers and ceremonial officials of the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

His designs have been worn by actors Farrah Fawcett (Charlie’s Angels), Mickey Rourke (Year of the Dragon), Ben Cross (Chariots of Fire), Sam Waterston, and others.

Sal has an avid interest in acting and has appeared in several commercials (Lipton Tea) and short films.

He is a member of FIDO (Fellowship in the Interest of Dogs and Their Owners, Brooklyn Chapter) and volunteered at Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York.