Adolfo was born in Cuba and began his fashion training in Paris. In the early 1950s, the designer’s fashion career began to blossom as a hat designer in New York City. He designed hats for the well-known labels Bragaard and Bergdorf Goodman. Later he started working for Emme where he gained prominence, attaining his own title, Adolfo of Emme’s. His hat designs brought Adolfo much acclaim, earning him his first Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award in 1955 and the Neiman Marcus Design Award just one year later.

In 1962, Adolfo opened his own millinery studio. With the freedom to extend his creativity to other areas, he began designing haute couture. Adolfo’s first full couture collection was introduced in 1963. He also designed much admired men’s collections. In 1969 he received a special Coty Award for his contribution to design “from head to toe”.

He achieved his fame by making clothes for the Duchess of Windsor, who introduced him to Betsy Bloomingdale. In 1967, Betsy Bloomingdale introduced him to Nancy Reagan, who later became the First Lady of the United States and soon became a faithful customer.

Adolfo also designed clothes for Gloria Vanderbilt, Babe Paley, Judy Peabody, C.Z.Guest, Jean Tailer, and Princess Michael of Kent, among others.

Adolfo expanded his creativity to men’s collections which brought him a special Coty Award for his contribution to design “from head to toe” in 1969.

In addition, he licensed his first name ADOLFO brand for use on a broad spectrum of men’s, children and women’s lines.

In 1993, after a long, successful, and noteworthy career creating the finest women’s clothing, Adolfo closed his East 57th Street couture salon to be able to focus on his licensing business, Adolfo Enterprises Inc, and he is still involved with it today.