Valentina Sanina Schlee

Place: Kyiv

Born: 1899

Death: 1989

Biography:

Valentina Sanina Schlee, known professionally as Valentina, was a Ukrainian-American fashion designer. She opened a small couture dress house, Valentina’s Gowns, in New York City in 1928. She was known for her elegant and sophisticated designs, and made clothes for social and theater personalities in the 1920s through the 1950s. She was also a theatrical costume designer. She was married to George Schlee, a Russian financier, and they arrived in New York City in 1923. She was a prominent member of café society during the Roaring Twenties. She was also known for her striking appearance and style. She was a émigrée and stood out for her clothes and style at the time because she appeared in floor-lengths and cover-ups while other women wore short skirts and low-neck dresses.