Skip to content

Geoffrey Beene (1927-2004) started at I. Magnin, studied in France, and then moved to New York where he began his career with Sam Winston on 7th Avenue. In 1950 he became an assistant designer at Harmay, where he stayed for eight years. He had just gotten his name on the label in 1957, when he was fired. He then moved on to Teal Traina as designer, where his name appeared on the label.

He opened Geoffrey Beene, Inc in 1963 on 7th Avenue. He won the first of several Coty Awards in 1964. In 1968, Beene designed Lynda Bird Johnson’s wedding dress. The Geoffrey Beene Boutique label was introduced in 1967 or 1968. By the early 1970s, fashion was becoming more informal, and so in 1971 he started BeeneBag, a younger, sportier version of his designs.

Beene always designed relaxed, wearable clothing in the best fabrics of their type with a conscientious eye toward craftsmanship and detail. He was known for his use of knits and unstructured, unlined jackets.

His name has been licensed for use on items such as: hosiery, shoes, furs, eyeglasses, linens, perfumes, menswear and cologne. Geoffrey Beene died on September 28, 2004

“Fashion is my way of contributing to other human beings. It is my way of communicating with people, of making something better in their lives.” Geoffrey Beene, 1978

Written by pastperfectvintage.com


from an early 1960s dress - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from an early 1960s dress

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a mid 1960s dress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a mid 1960s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1960s wool dress - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1960s wool dress

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a c. 1967 dress - Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from a c. 1967 dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from a c. 1968 dress - Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from a c. 1968 dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from a 1970s 2 piece dress - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1970s 2 piece dress

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from an early 1970s skirt - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from an early 1970s skirt

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1970s skirt - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1970s skirt

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a late 1970s jacket - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a late 1970s jacket

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1970s pants and blouse - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1970s pants and blouse

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1970s suit - Courtesy of eli

from a 1970s suit

Courtesy of eli

from a 1970s cocktail dress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1970s cocktail dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1980s skirt - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1980s skirt

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1980s housedress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1980s housedress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1980s daywear dress - Courtesy of nerak321

from a 1980s daywear dress

Courtesy of nerak321

from an early 1980s dress - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from an early 1980s dress

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1980s dress - Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from an early 1990s Suit - Courtesy of catbooks1940s

from an early 1990s Suit

Courtesy of catbooks1940s

from an early 1990s blouse - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from an early 1990s blouse

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1980s evening dress - Courtesy of antiquedress.com

from a 1980s evening dress

Courtesy of antiquedress.com

from a 1980s dress & bolero - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1980s dress & bolero

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from an early 1990s jacket - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from an early 1990s jacket

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1990s vest - Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer

from a 1990s vest

Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer