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In a rare and meaningful collaboration bridging generations of artistic brilliance, Georgio Sabino III, renowned multi-disciplinary artist and creative visionary, played a key role in assisting the iconic fashion painter Renée Demsey—best known for her work with Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. Sabino, alongside fellow artist Sampson (known professionally as “Sampson the Artist”), was hired by Jeanne Glazer to help clean and restore Demsey’s vibrant and storied collection of fashion paintings, ensuring their legacy continues to shine with the brilliance of their original conception. Georgio even photograph each painting for the collection and show at Spaceless Art Gallery. Here (thespacelessgallery.)
Demsey, an artistic force whose career spans over seven decades, is revered for her joyful, richly patterned paintings that merge fashion and fine art. Her signature styles include Floral Focus and Pattern, Fashion Paintings with Figures, Abstract Works, and the whimsically romantic Painted Ladies series. These works once graced the walls of Bergdorf Goodman, encapsulating the elegance and energy of each fashion season in vivid color. From interior scenes with figures to Fashion EnVogue statements bursting with life, Demsey’s canvases are a celebration of feminine beauty, design, and seasonal splendor.
Sabino and Sampson were tasked with meticulously cleaning and preparing these pieces for continued preservation and appreciation. Their efforts helped breathe new life into works that have adorned catalogs, galleries, and legendary New York institutions. This careful process was more than conservation—it was a reverent act of collaboration with a living legend.
Renée Demsey’s story is the stuff of art world lore. She began her artistic journey at New York’s Henri Bendel, where her work was curated by the trailblazing Geraldine Stutz in the famed “Street of Shops.” She later served as artist-in-residence at Nena’s Choice Gallery inside Bergdorf Goodman, where she enchanted visitors with her exuberant palette and sense of movement. In a glowing tribute during her tenth anniversary solo show, Nena herself described Renée’s work as “inimitable plein-de-fleurs,” celebrating her unmatched ability to turn fashion and florals into dreams on canvas.
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Even at 90, Demsey continues to draw, proving that the spirit of creativity never fades. Her deep joy in painting is unmistakably felt in every stroke. Her son, beauty industry leader John Demsey, honors her legacy with an entire floor in his Manhattan townhouse dedicated to her work—affectionately named the “Renée Guest Suites.” Her art was also beautifully featured in his book Behind the Blue Door, showcasing the bold interiors of his six-story home, rich with Renée’s color-filled vision.
Georgio Sabino III, known for blending technology, art, and activism in his own practice, approached this opportunity with great admiration. His contribution to preserving Renée Demsey’s extraordinary fashion art history stands as a testament to the respect and reverence younger artists hold for pioneers who painted the world in new and beautiful ways.
Thanks to this collaboration—fueled by Jeanne Glazer’s trust in Georgio and Sampson—Renée Demsey’s colorful universe continues to radiate through time, echoing from the walls of Bergdorf Goodman into the hearts of new generations.
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