Dell'Olio, Louis, 1948- (1948-)

Dates

• Existence: 1948-

Biography

Louis Dell'Olio is an America fashion designer. He graduated from Parsons School of Design. While attending Parsons he won a number of awards, including the prestigious Norman Norell Scholarship.

In 1973 Anne Klein called him to join her company, accompanying his former classmate and friend, Donna Karan. In 1974, Ms Klein tragically died, leaving two very young aspirants at the helm. Together, Dell’Olio and Karan saw the business explode. During the ten years that they designed together, Dell’Olio and Karan won three Coty Awards, fashions “Oscars”, and were inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame. Ms. Karan decided to leave Anne Klein and Mr. Dell’Olio was appointed Vice President of Design. For the next 10 years, Mr. Dell’Olio was solely responsible for designing the Anne Klein Collection and for serving as creative director and overseeing the design of Anne Klein ll, A-Line and Anne Klein Dresses. In addition, Mr. Dell’Olio was responsible for the design and product development of all Anne Klein licensed products, including, jewelry, footwear, handbags, belts, coats, eyewear, furs, eyewear, scarves, swimwear, watches and men’s accessories. Mr. Dell’Olio continued to win numerous awards including those from important retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord and Taylor and Marshall Fields. While Mr. Dell’Olio was at the helm of Anne Klein, the volume of the company and its licensees reached $600 million a year.

Mr. Dell’Olio’s decision to leave Anne Klein in order to pursue his own interests was difficult, but created new opportunities. He continued to devote his efforts and energy to the Council of Fashion Designers of America, of which he was an officer and a director. Along with Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta and Donna Karan, he spearheaded the Councils campaign for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. During his many years as an active member of the CFDA, Mr. Dell’Olio has chaired and been a member of many various committees. Mr. Dell’Olio has worked in Italy as a consultant for the Marzotto Company. In a venture unprecedented in the fashion industry, Mr. Dell’Olio was engaged by a joint venture for Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Holt Renfrew as design director for a unique collection of women’s apparel.

Mr. Dell’Olio designed a line of furs and shearling coats under his own label, which retailed in luxury stores and boutiques across the country. He also designs men’s and boy’s clothing and accessories for a well known retailer. In 2000 he entered into an agreement with QVC to design an exclusive line of sportswear under the label Linea by Louis Dell’Olio.

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