Antonio del Castillo

Spanish, 1908–1984

Birth placeMadrid, Spain

BiographyAntonio Del Castillo (1908-1984), born in Madrid to Spanish upper-class parents, studied architecture at the University of Madrid. In 1936, at the onset of the Spanish Civil War, he left for Paris to embark on a diplomatic career. Instead, he began designing dresses, hats, and jewelry for the fashion houses of Paquin, Piquet, and Chanel. Castillo, together with Balmain, Balenciaga, and Dior, was considered one of the most promising of the new generation of Paris designers to emerge after World War II.

In 1950, Castillo was invited by Jeanne Lanvin's daughter to design for her mother's firm in Paris, with hopes of relaunching the firm's name. From 1950 to 1962 the House of Lanvin-Castillo was known for elegant clothes, slender lines, long flowing skirts in rich fabrics, and elaborate embroideries. From 1964 to 1969, Castillo headed his own couture house in Paris.

Elizabeth Arden, wanting to be the first to bring Paris fashion to New York, persuaded Castillo to work in the haute couture department of her New York salon in 1945. Castillo remained with Elizabeth Arden until 1950. He also designed costumes for the Metropolitan Opera and Broadway shows.

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