Nicolas de Gunzburg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicolas de Gunzburg
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Gunzburg c. 1928
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| Born | 12 December 1904 Paris, France
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| Died | 20 February 1981 (aged 76) New York City, U.S.
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| Other names | Julian West |
| Occupation | Banker, fashion editor, actor |
Nicolas Louis Alexandre de Gunzburg (12 December 1904 – 20 February 1981) was a famous magazine editor and socialite. He was born in France. He worked as an editor for popular American magazines like Town & Country, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar. In 1971, he was added to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame for his great sense of style.
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About Nicolas de Gunzburg's Early Life
Nicolas "Niki" de Gunzburg was born in Paris, France. His family was very rich and important. They made their money from banking and oil. His family, originally called Günzburg, received a special title from a German ruler in the 1870s. Later, when they spent more time in France, they changed their name slightly to "de Gunzburg."
His father was Baron Gabriel Jacob "Jacques" de Gunzburg. His mother, Enriqueta "Quêta" de Laska, was from Brazil. She had Polish and Portuguese family roots.
Nicolas grew up mostly in England. His father worked for a bank there. Later, Nicolas spent his teenage years in France. In the 1920s and 1930s, he enjoyed a lively social life in Paris. He loved to host big costume parties. These parties had amazing decorations designed by artists.
Nicolas had an older half-sister named Audrey Manuelle Alexandre Joaquina Bapst. She was a painter and designed sets and costumes.
Nicolas de Gunzburg's Acting Role
Carl Theodor Dreyer, a Danish film director, met Nicolas de Gunzburg in Paris. This meeting led to Nicolas starring in a horror film called Vampyr (1932). The movie was based on old vampire stories. Nicolas played the main character, Allan Gray, using the screen name Julian West.
Film experts said that Nicolas was not a very skilled actor. However, the director told him to move slowly, like he was in a dream. This made his acting fit the spooky mood of the film perfectly.
Moving to the United States
It is said that when Nicolas's father passed away, he found out the family's money was mostly gone. He only had enough money for a ticket to America. He used what was left to throw one last big costume party in Paris in July 1934. This party was called "Le Bal de Valses." It was themed like a royal court in Vienna from 1860. Nicolas dressed as a prince, and other guests wore fancy historical costumes.
Nicolas arrived in America in 1934. He first settled in California. Many European artists moved to Hollywood at that time. But Nicolas soon moved to New York City, which became his home for the rest of his life. He arrived in New York City in November 1936.
A Career in Publishing and Fashion
Nicolas de Gunzburg worked as an editor for Harper's Bazaar. He also became the editor-in-chief of Town & Country. In 1949, he was made a senior fashion editor at Vogue. He once said that working in an office had its challenges. But he added that the weekly paycheck was important. Alexander Liberman, a top director at Condé Nast Publications, called Nicolas "one of the most civilized men in Paris."
Nicolas was known for his simple wardrobe. He mostly wore black, grey, and white clothes. His grey suits were made by a famous tailor in Vienna. Because of his excellent style, he was named to Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1971.
A writer from Vogue described him as: A slim, good-looking man with a very dry sense of humor. He was good at copying others and loved simple but refined ways of living.
Nicolas de Gunzburg also helped three young fashion designers. These designers later became very famous in the fashion world. They were Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, and Calvin Klein. Calvin Klein, whom Nicolas met in the 1960s, was perhaps his most famous student. After Nicolas passed away, Calvin Klein spoke about him in Interview magazine.
Calvin Klein said: He was truly the greatest inspiration of my life. He was my teacher, I was his student. If you talk about a person with style and true elegance, there was no one like him. I used to think he made things hard for me sometimes. But I was so lucky. I was so lucky to have known him so well for so long.
Nicolas remembered one of Calvin Klein's first big fashion shows. After the show, a nervous Klein asked Nicolas what he thought. Nicolas gave a cool but supportive answer: "You showed great courage."
Nicolas de Gunzburg's Home
For the last 20 years of his life, Nicolas de Gunzburg spent his summers in Highland Lakes, New Jersey. In December 1959, he bought a small island. He called it Hemlock. He built a bridge to it and a summer house. He decorated his house in a special style from the Tyrolean region.
Death
Nicolas de Gunzburg passed away at New York Hospital when he was 76 years old. He was buried in Glenwood Cemetery near his summer home. A small private service was held for him. Among those who attended were fashion designers Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, and Calvin Klein.
Images for kids
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Gunzburg c. 1928
