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David Sassoon (designer)

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David Sassoon
Born(1932-10-05)5 October 1932
Highbury, North London, England
Died9 April 2025(2025-04-09) (aged 92)
London, England
OccupationFashion designer
Years active1958–2012
Known forCo-ownership of Bellville Sassoon

David Sassoon (5 October 1932 – 9 April 2025) was a British fashion designer and the owner of the Bellville Sassoon salon in Knightsbridge, London, founded by Belinda Bellville in 1953.

Early life and education

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Born in Highbury, London on 5 October 1932[1][2][3] to Iraqi Jewish parents Gourgi and Victoria Sassoon, Sassoon grew up in North London and initially intended to become an actor but turned to fashion when his father disapproved.[4] He attended Avigdor High School and Lauderdale Road Synagogue in West London.[4]

Career

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Sassoon was invited by Belinda Bellville to join her salon in 1958 and in 1970 it became the Bellville Sassoon.[4][5][6] In 2023, it was announced that some of Sassoon's designs would be featured in an exhibition on the role of Jewish designers in London's fashion scene.[7]

Notable clients

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Bellville Sassoon coat, hand-painted by Richard Cawley, 1970–1971

He counted numerous socialites and members of the royal family amongst his clientele and was the most prolific of Princess Diana's early designers.[8][9] Sassoon said of Diana, "When she got engaged, her mother brought her in to us and asked us to make the going-away outfit."[10] Aside from Diana, Sassoon designed clothes for Princess Margaret, Princess Michael of Kent, the Duchess of York, the Duchess of Gloucester, Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Jerry Hall. His designs appeared on the covers of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.[4] Sassoon claimed that he was "probably the only designer around today who has dressed every female member of the royal family except the Queen."[11]

Death

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Sassoon died in London on 9 April 2025, at the age of 92.[12][3] His death was confirmed by fellow fashion designer Zandra Rhodes.[13]

References

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  1. ^ Benbow-Pfalzgraf, Taryn (28 March 2002). Contemporary Fashion. St. James Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-1-55862-348-4. LCCN 2002017801. OCLC 1310600583. OL 8607025M.
  2. ^ Mosley, Charles; Foster, Sara; Gullen, Zoë, eds. (2002). People of Today. Debrett's Peerage Limited. Debrett's. p. 1751. ISBN 978-1-870520-21-8.
  3. ^ a b "David Sassoon, designer who helped to shape the young Princess Diana's fashion sense". The Telegraph. 11 April 2025. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Shure, Jan (8 January 2009). "Interview: David Sassoon". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  5. ^ Sassoon, David; Stemp, Sinty (25 January 2009). The glamour of Bellville Sassoon. ACC Editions. ISBN 978-1-85149-575-7. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  6. ^ International Who's Who 2000 (63rd ed.). Europa Editions. 1 January 1999. p. 1372. ISBN 978-1-85743-050-9. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  7. ^ Rufo, Yasmin (13 July 2023). "Princess Diana coat to be shown at Jewish design exhibition". BBC News. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  8. ^ McDowell, Colin (1 July 2007). Diana style. Aurum. ISBN 978-1-84513-200-2. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  9. ^ Owen, Jane (1983). Diana, Princess of Wales: the book of fashion. Greenwich House. ISBN 978-0-517-42981-5. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  10. ^ Clehane, Diane (September 1998). Diana: The Secrets of Her Style. Gt Pub Corp. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-57719-348-7. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  11. ^ Designer David Sassoon at Buckingham Palace. Channel 4. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2012.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "David Sassoon: The Designer Behind the Royal Wardrobe". Il Messaggero. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  13. ^ Mohammed, Hikmat; Conti, Samantha (10 April 2025). "David Sassoon, Couturier to Princess Diana, Dies at 92". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
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