Geoffrey Beene dies

The legendary American couturier died yesterday at age 77. He passed away in his home on the Upper East Side in Manhattan.

Beene launched his company in 1963 and it quickly became an enormous success with the Park Avenue set. Initially, he had planned on becoming a doctor. Ironically he designed his first collection, which was used in a Joan Crawford movie, during medical lectures.

Beene was known for his sumptuous, yet wearable designs. He was obsessed with light and free designs and refused to follow trends.