Franco-Russian socialite, actor and fashion editor Nicolas de Gunzburg was BOTD in 1094. Born in Paris to a wealthy Russian family, he was educated in England before returning to Paris in the 1920s. He became a fixture of the post-war Bohemian scene, befriending Ballet Russes impresario Sergei Diaghilev and star dancer Vaslav Nijinsky and staging elaborate costume balls. In 1932, he was cast in the starring role in Carl Theodor Dreyer’s film Vampyr, using the screen name Julian West. After his father’s death and his realisation that his family fortune was squandered, he threw a lavish going-away party and emigrated to the United States. Settling in New York City, he lived in an apartment in the Ritz Tower, working for Harper’s Bazaar and Town & Country. In 1949, he was appointed fashion editor of American Vogue. Known for his waspish wit and minimalist wardrobe of black, grey and white, he mentored generations of fashion designers Bill Blass, Oscar de le Renta and Calvin Klein. Elegantly gay since forever, he had long-term relationships with actor Erik Rhodes and artist Paul Sherman. He died in 1981, aged 76.