Showing 1863 results

Janet Sloane was a fashion director who helped to usher in haute couture headwear from Europe to upscale American stores. She was a stylist, scout and vice president of Madcaps Inc., a Manhattan millinery and accessories company founded by her brother and partner, Alfred Z. Solomon, and worked there from the 1940's until the business was sold in 1992. She was among the first to adapt the millinery designs of Givenchy, Yves St. Laurent and other Europeans for the American market. She was a founding member of the Fashion Group International and the Fashion Round Table, two organizations for industry executives, and a member of the Soroptomists, an international women's community service alliance.

George Carmel was born in Poland in 1893. As a boy in Poland, Carmel served as a tailor's apprentice. In 1905, Carmel immigrated to the US at age 11. He began his designing career in 1916, teaming up with his four brothers to form Carmel Bros. Carmel enlisted his two sons to form George Carmel, Inc. in 1950. It was a short-lived venture, however; the business was liquidated three years later due to Carmel's failing health. His sons reestablished the firm in 1954 with Carmel serving as an advisor. Carmel served as a board member of the governors of the Industrial Council of Cloak, Suit and Skirt Manufacturers, Inc. from 1929 to 1953. George Carmel passed away in 1955.

Born in Budapest, Hungary on August 10, 1895, Marcel Vertès began his illustrious career drawing during the First World War. After the war, he moved to Vienna and then to Paris. He studied at the Academy Julian and lived in the Latin Quarter. To pay for his tuition, Vertès made forgeries of works by Toulouse-Lautrec. His own career began to take off in Paris soon after graduating, quickly making Vertès a regular in the Parisian art scene. In 1935, he traveled to New York to network. Two years later he had his first one-man show in New York. He and his wife escaped from Paris days before the Nazi's took over the city. They settled in New York where Vertès began making connections in Hollywood. He worked as both the production designer and costume designer (along with Elsa Schiaparelli) for Moulin Rouge (1952). He won two academy awards, one for each credit. Additionally, he regularly contributed drawings to fashion publications like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Marcel Vertès died in Paris on October 31, 1961, at age 66.

Ben Thylan (1923 - 2010) founded a luxury fur store, Ben Thylan Furs, in 1943.

Felix Lallement founded a specialty embroidery house that supplied the Parisian couture houses in the 1920s.

Theodore A. Kohn & Son Jeweller company was founded by Theodore A. Kohn and his sons Albert and Emil. The company was in business from 1890-1945. In 1907, they operated a store at 321 Fifth Ave in New York City.

Female designer from Ireland who now resides in New York. Incorporates Feng Shui into her designs. She dropped her first name, Aubry, when she became a designer. Still active.

Design firm in New York. Incorporates Feng Shui into designs. Still active.

John Cavanagh (1914-2003) was an Irish couturier who dressed members of the British Royal Family. He was a member of the Incorporated Society of London Fashion Designers and worked as design assistant to Pierre Balmain before opening his own fashion house in 1952.

After Jeanne Lanvin's death in 1946, Lanvin's daughter hired Antonio Castillo as head designer in 1950. Castillo was a Spanish fashion designer. Before designing for the House of Lanvin, Castillo worked for various couture houses and worked as a costume designer. After leaving Lanvin, Castillo continued to design clothes independently.

Frank Crowninshield was born in Paris in 1872 and educated in Rome. He worked as a book clerk and editor until Condé Nast hired him to work on Vanity Fair. Crowninshield flourished at Vanity Fair, publishing the best of fashion, art, and literature. In 1947, Crowninshield passed away in New York.

Christian Bérard was born in Paris in 1902. He studied at the Lycée Janson de Sailly. His first exhibition was held at the Gallery Pierre in 1920. A decade later, he began making costumes and sets for the stage in France. He also began making drawings for fashion designers like Elsa Schiaparelli. He died suddenly in 1949 at the age of 46.

Ginette de Paris was a design firm run by Ginette Jaccard. The brand sold dresses and sewing patterns.

Gossard is a lingerie company founded in 1901 by Henry Williamson Gossard.

Fira Benenson was born in Baku, Russia around 1898. Her family relocated to New York after the Bolshevik revolution began in Russia. Benenson opened a dress shop on Madison Avenue partly to help out other Russian emigres. From 1934 to 1948, Benenson headed Bonwit and Teller's salon de couture. After leaving Bonwit and Teller, she opened her own boutique, focusing on designing for older clients. Throughout her life, Benenson traveled to Paris to see French fashion shows, only breaking her pattern during WWII. Benenson passed away in 1977.

Herbert (1916 - 1991) and Beth Levine (1914 - 2006) founded the Herbert Levine company in 1948. Their company, which sold high-end women's shoes made in New York, was one of the leading footwear design firms in the country. Their designs were worn by many celebrities including Jacqueline Kennedy and Liza Minnelli. Nancy Sinatra wore Herbert Levine white stiletto boots while singing about them in the mid-1960s. These boots, which were made for walking, started the Go-Go boot trend of the 60s. In 1964, Barbra Streisand wore Levine shoes during the run of her show "Funny Girl" on Broadway. In addition to the stage, Herbert Levine shoes were produced to be worn during fashion shows for designers like Halston and Pauline Trigère. The company folded in 1975. A year later, the Metropolitan Museum dedicated an exhibition to their designs. After closing their firm, the couple acted as consultants in the shoe industry in New York. The couple won two Coty Awards (1967 and 1973) and a Neiman Marcus Award (1954).

Herbert (1916 - 1991) and Beth Levine (1914 - 2006) founded the Herbert Levine company in 1948. Their company, which sold high-end women's shoes made in New York, was one of the leading footwear design firms in the country. Their designs were worn by many celebrities including Jacqueline Kennedy and Liza Minnelli. Nancy Sinatra wore Herbert Levine white stiletto boots while singing about them in the mid-1960s. These boots, which were made for walking, started the Go-Go boot trend of the 60s. In 1964, Barbra Streisand wore Levine shoes during the run of her show "Funny Girl" on Broadway. In addition to the stage, Herbert Levine shoes were produced to be worn during fashion shows for designers like Halston and Pauline Trigère. The company folded in 1975. A year later, the Metropolitan Museum dedicated an exhibition to their designs. After closing their firm, the couple acted as consultants in the shoe industry in New York. The couple won two Coty Awards (1967 and 1973) and a Neiman Marcus Award (1954).

Loet Vanderveen was born in Rotterdam, Holland in 1921. He was able to escape occupied Holland, choosing to move to England. After the war, he lived between London, New York, and Zurich, working as a fashion designer. However, after 11 years in the business, he became bored. A chance meeting with a curator at the MET lead him to switch careers, focusing now on sculpture. He is most known for his stylized animal bronzes. Vanderveen passed away in 2015.

Lee Simonson was born on June 26, 1888, in New York. He attended Harvard University. In 1915, he began his career as a set designer, working for the Washington Square Players in New York. He helped form the Theatre Guild and from 1919 to 1940, he acted as a member of the board of directors. His stage sets were unconventional for the time; Simonson opted to forgo realism and instead, used unconventional or minimal designs in order to match the mood or atmosphere of the play. Simonson died January 23, 1967, in Yonkers, N.Y.

Harry Simons was chairman of the Clothing Designer Co. in New York. He wrote Designing Boys and Juveniles Clothing for the company in 1922.

Paul Ganapoler was born in June 1915 in the Bronx. He worked as an assistant designer and production manager from the late 1950s through the 1970s, most notably The French Connection (1971) and The Boys in the Band (1970).

Hope Skillman was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended Goucher College. She began her career in the early 1930s in New York. She quickly became one of the leading American textile designers. She worked for the Cohn-Hall-Marx Company and the Tabin Picker Company throughout the 1930s. In 1942, she opened the Hope Skillman Inc, and later Skillman Inc. She continued working until retiring in the early 1960s. From 1958 to 1960, Skillman served as president for the Fashion Group Inc. She was also an active advocate for women's rights.

Gloria Sachs was born Gloria Mildred Wasserman in Manhattan on February 17, 1927. She got a degree in fine arts in 1947 from Skidmore before attending the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where she studied textile design. She moved to Paris to became a fashion model and to apprentice under artist Fernand Leger. In 1951, she returned to New York and was hired by Bloomingdale's, where she became a fashion coordinator. Sachs opened her first design company, Red Barn, which focused on the pre-teen market. From 1970 to 1994, Sachs ran Gloria Sachs Designs LTD. Her company focused on high-end sportswear and separates. Her designs were extremely popular for women entering the workforce. In 1983 she showed her first evening wear collection, but her sportswear continued to be what Sachs was known for. Gloria Sachs passed away in 2012.

Jacques Fath was born in Lafitte, France, on September 12, 1912. He began a career in bookkeeping, later becoming a trader at the Paris Bourse from 1930 to 1932. Fath opened his couture house in 1936. In 1937, Fath showed his first fashion collection in Paris but had to wait until 1940 to reopened his salon. After the war, Fath added a perfume line in 1945. Fath designed a ready-to-wear collection for American manufacturer Joseph Halpert in 1948. Fath is considered to be part of the "big three" post-war Parisian designers, along with Dior and Balmain. In 1954, Fath launched a ready-to-wear collection in Paris. Unfortunately, in November of that year, Fath passed away at the age of 42.

Mary Ann Restivo was born in South Orange, NJ in 1940. She attended the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, New Jersey, from 1958 to 1960, studying retailing. Right after graduating, she studied design at FIT, graduating in 1961. Her first job out of college was at Abby Michael junior sportswear house in New York. She moved between different firms from 1962 to 1974 before being hired as Dior's head designer of the women's blouse division. Restivo stayed with Dior until 1980, when she started her own company, Mary Ann Restivo, Inc. The brand focused on contemporary sportswear. In 1988 she sold the brand to Leslie Fay Corporation, but stayed on under their new "Mary Ann Restivo" division as head designer. That division closed in 1992. After that, she became an independent design consultant for high-end clients. She returned to design in 2002 with an accessories line. In 1973, restivo was awarded the Mortimer C. Ritter award, from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

George Stavropoulos was born in Tripolis, Greece in 1920. He was the seventh of nine children. He began designing at an early age, creating a ball gown for his sister held together with safety pins. He learned by studying books and historic garments in museums. He began designing costumes for the ballet and theater productions. In 1949, Stavropoulos opened his first salon, Nikis B in Athens. He began to collect a small following of both Greek nationals and foreigners who liked his tailored suits and dresses inspired by Greek antiquity. He soon married Nancy Angelakos, who worked for the American embassy in Greece. They moved to New York in 1961. Unable to find work, Stavropoulos hired two seamstresses and began his own business. He refused to copy French designs, relying on the classically influenced silhouettes he was known for in Athens. He began to get accumulate a list of loyal private customers who helped him slowly build his reputation in the U.S. For the U.S. market, Stavropoulos focused on chic-but-comfortable designs. Celebrities loved his flowing evening gowns. These dresses were made out of layers of chiffon, cut to float around the body. George Stavropoulos continued designing up until his death in 1990.

Evelyn Dawson Wynn was born in Weehawken, New Jersey in 1909. Under the name Suzy Perette, she designed women's clothes from the late 1940s until the 1960s. The Suzy Perette brand offered licensed Parisian designs to customers at affordable prices. Wynn passed away in March of 1990.

Peter Todd Mitchell was an American artist born in the 1920s. He worked as a painter and graphic designer. He created textile designers for designers such as Norman Norell.

Calvin Richard Klein was born on November 19, 1942, in the Bronx, New York. He studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and upon graduating, in 1962, he began apprenticing for a coat and suit manufacturer on Seventh Avenue. Six years later, he opened his own company (with the help of Barry Schwartz, a childhood friend), designing simple, minimalist garments which contrasted with the flower-power aesthetic of the period. Klein was in charge of all things creative while Schwartz ran the business side of the company. Klein's early designs were primarily suit and coat styles, but he gradually expanded into womens sportswear. Bonwit Teller was an early supporter of Klein, selling the designer's goods in their department stores. By the early 1970s, Klein was selling millions of dollars worth of products. Klein was awarded three consecutive Coty Awards from 1973 to 1975. By entering the denim market in the mid 1970s and later licensing his name to other products, Klein was able to gain a large following. The advertisements for Calvin Klein products became infamous in the 1990s; attractive, young models wearing Klein's clothes and posing "provocatively" made Klein a household name. Klein sold his company in 2003 to Phillips–Van Heusen for an estimated $430 million. Klein published a memoir in 2017 discussing his career.

Born in 1900, Irene moved from Baker, Montana to Los Angeles at the age of 20 to become an actress. Soon after she opened a small boutique on the USC campus. After her first husband's death, she traveled Europe to pursue fashion more seriously. Once she returned to Los Angeles, she opened another boutique at 9000 Sunset Blvd. She gained a following of Hollywood elite which ultimately lead her to begin designing costumes for films. She designed costumes for United Artists and Columbia Pictures in the 1930s while simultaneously running a boutique in the famed Bullocks Wilshire department store. In 1941, MGM hired her to replace Adrian. Irene stayed at MGM until the late 1940s when she wanted to return to her own business. She once again began designing clothes for the public. Her life ended in tragically; Irene commited suicide in 1962. She was 61 years old. Irene was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design (B.F.'s Daughter in 1949 and Midnight Lace in 1961).

Born in Los Angeles, James Daugherty was exposed to fashion and design at an early age: his mother took old hand-me-downs and created garments for her family. When he was old enough, Daugherty began sketching his mother in the fashions she would create. Daugherty attended the Chouinard Art Institute. After graduating, he worked at Warner Bros. studio as a janitor. Although he tried to get his designs noticed by studio executives (leaving sketches on their desks), none offered him an opportunity to design. Daugherty showed his first fashion collection in October 1974. In Dallas two years later, Daugherty hosted his first trunk show. Although he kept receiving warm responses from consumers and some accolades including being named Designer of the Year by the Fashion Sales Guild, his company filed for bankruptcy in 1979. Daugherty became the designer for Rona before taking a position with the Maggy Boutique Division of Maggy London from 1984 until 1987. Daugherty taught as an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology from 2003 until his death in 2013.

Tina Leser was born Christine Wetherill Shillard-Smith on December 12, 1910 in Philadelphia. Leser studied art first in Philadelphia before moving to Paris to continue her studies at the Sorbonne. Leser's love of non-western textiles and patterns stemmed from her travels as a young woman. She and her family moved to Hawaii in 1931. Four years later, she opened her first store, selling ready-to-wear sportswear and play clothes with Polynesian textiles. In 1940, she moved back to mainland United States and formed her own firm in New York. It took three years for her name to gain recognition, finally achieving it when she began designing for Edwin H. Foreman's sportswear company. Throughout WWII, Leser worked with fabric shortages, relying on Central and South American textiles for inspiration. After marrying her second husband, James J. Howley, in 1948, the newlyweds went on a around-the-world honeymoon, which essentially became a textile sourcing trip for the designer. Lesser founded her own company, Tina Lesser Inc., in 1952. She remained in control of her business until 1964 when she retired. Two years later, however, she returned to fashion to show a collection of dresses, coats, and suits made out of Indian textiles. She continued to design throughout the 60s and 70s. Leser's most popular designs were her matching bathing suits and cover-ups. In 1982, Leser retired again. Four years later, in January 1986, Leser passed away at the age of 75.

John Rombola was born in 1933 in Brooklyn. Fashion ran in his blood; his mother was a pattern cutter. He became enthralled with fashion through his mother. Rombola studied at Pratt Institute. His work has appeared in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and have even appeared in the window displays of Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

Stephen Gerald Burrows was born on September 15, 1943 in Newark, NJ. He attended the Philadelphia Museum College of Art from 1961-1963 and then attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T) from 1964-1966, where he graduated with a degree in fashion design. Successfully selling his garments to his friends or the "commune" as he referred to them, he co-founded "O" Boutique in 1968 on Park Avenue South.Burrows' use of color, color combinations, and fabrics was unheard of at this time. Burrows was influenced by rhythm and dance inspiring garments with a softer, slimmer silhouette that moved with the body and as a finishing touch, he originated the "Lettuce Edge", which is still in use today. In 1970, the fashion industry took notice of Burrows' innovative designs, where he was hired by Henri Bendel and given a boutique named "Stephen Burrows World". In 1973, Burrows was chosen to be a part of a collaborative fashion benefit between the United States and France at the Palace of Versailles, where Burrows and American fashion became an international sensation. Following his success, Burrows received the Coty award in 1973, 1974 and 1977. Burrows later left Bendel to open his own business on seventh avenue, marking his hiatus from the fashion industry until 2002. On February 13th, 2002 "Stephen Burrows World" reopened at Henri Bendel, reintroducing Burrows into the fashion world. In 2006, Burrows received the CFDA's Board of Directors Special Tribute after 40 years as a designer.

Whittingham & Humphreys was a London based high-end design firm working in the Victorian era.

Sir Cecil Beaton was born in London in 1904. Beaton attended St. John's College, although he never graduated. He signed a contract with Condé Nast to supply Vogue with fashion photographs in 1930. He photographed royalty, movie stars, fashion designs, and cultural elites. His first book, The Book of Beauty, was published in 1930, followed by dozens more which became a platform for him to show off his talent for illustrating. Beaton produced costumes and sets for both stage and screen, winning three academy awards, two for Best Costume Design (Gigi in 1958 and My Fair Lady in 1964) and one for Best Art Direction (My Fair Lady in 1964). Queen Elizabeth II knighted Beaton in 1972.

Helen Charelle was an American fashion designer known for half-sizes.

Samuel Winston was born in New York City. His career was spent between retail and wholesale manufacturing in the fashion industry on 7th Ave. In 1950, Winston founded Samuel Winston Inc. He then partnered with Charles James to create a fashion line under the Samuel Winston label in 1954. James was supposed to deliver 30 designs each year for two years. Only a year later, however, James pulled out of the deal, accusing Winston's company of stealing designs and not crediting him. James successfully sued but became broke in the process. Samuel Winston went on to have a successful career. His main designer, Roxanne Kaminstein, won the 1960 Coty Award for her beaded evening wear. Winston was in business with Geoffrey Beene at some point in the late 1940s.

Joseph Whitehead always wanted to be a designer. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia but moved to New York after his High School graduation when a high-end retailer invited him to join on a buying trip. Whitehead's first job was working at the Corbeau, Inc. garment factory for $8 a week. Over seven years, Whitehead was able to convince his employers to take his designs seriously and produce them under the Corbeau label. In 1933, Whitehead along with Charles White, a Corbeau employee, teamed up with Joseph Brenner and formed Brenner, Joseph & White. 3 years later, the company was renamed Joseph Whitehead, Inc. after the death of Joseph Brenner. The fashion brand focused primarily on evening wear and were noted as to creating the first dinner-at-home dress. The company closed its doors in 1942.

Cathy Hardwick, born Cathaline Kaesuk Sur in Seoul, Korea, 30 December 1933, imigrated immigrated to the U.S. in 1952. She started her career as a freelance designer and boutique owner in San Francisco (1966-70), while designing knitwear for Alvin Duskin throughout the 1960s. She then moved to New York where she designed sportswear for Pranx, New York. In 1972, she opened "Cathy Hardwick 'n' Friends" in New York. Later, she became the president and designer of her own brand, Cathy Hardwick Ltd. which she started in 1975. The business remained open until 1981. Concurrently, she ran "Cathy Hardwick Design Studio, New York," starting in 1977. Additionally, she worked as a sportswear designer for Sears Roebuck and Co., from 1990. In 1975, she won the Coty American Fashion Critics award.

Jo Copeland was born in New York City in 1899. She graduated from both the Parsons School of Design and the Art Students League. In 1920, she began her fashion career as an illustrator for Pattullo. 13 years later, she became a partner in the company, now called Pattullo-Jo Copeland Inc. (where she stayed until the firm closed in 1970s). Copeland is perhaps most remembered for designing the woman's two-piece suit that was meant to be worn without a blouse. Her work style was unique: she draped on her own body in front of a mirror, playing with the fabric until she was satisfied. Before World War II broke out, Copeland often traveled to Europe to see the couture shows. After the war, Copeland began to stress the importance of American designs, calling on the U.S. fashion industry to become more independent from French fashion. Copeland received the Neiman Marcus Award for best designer of the year in 1944. Copeland taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology and was on the advisory board of the Parsons School of Design. Jo Copeland passed away on March 20th, 1982.

Mark Mooring began his career designing costumes for traveling Broadway productions. From 1933 to 1948, Mark Mooring worked as a designer in Bergdorf Goodman's custom department. After leaving Bergdorf, he designed collections for Elizabeth Arden and Seventh Avenue firms. Mooring returned to Bergdorf Goodman in 1960 to design some special collections. In 1963, Mooring began creating collections for the West-Coast designer Marusia in Hollywood. Mark Mooring passed away in 1971.

Joseph Love was a prominent childrenswear designer. He opened his business Joseph Love Inc. in 1920 using his Army bonus.

Born around 1898, Harvey Berin was one of the leading New York designers who helped establish the U.S. as a competitor to the French fashion industry. Berin was 15 when he first began working in New York's garment district. He opened his business, Casino, in 1922 on Seventh Ave in New York. Berin and his designer won a Coty Award for the brand's afternoon and evening dresses. Berin passes away in 1988.

Donald Brooks was born Donald Marc Blumberg on January 9, 1928. He grew up in Manhattan and studied fine arts at Syracuse College, aspiring to be a scenic designer for the theater. Brooks began studying at Yale but transferred first to FIT and then Parsons when it became clear he was more suited to costume design. After graduating from Parsons in 1950, Brooks designed window displays for Lord & Taylor. He soon was asked by store president Dorothy Shaver to design a collection for Lord & Taylor. In 1958, Townley Frocks hired him to design a sportswear collection. Seven years later, in 1965, Brooks launched his own collection, with the help of Ben Shaw. In 1963 Brooks was honored with a Coty award. In addition to his work in fashion, Brooks was a celebrated costume designer, being nominated for numerous awards including Oscars, Tonys, and Emmys. He won an Emmy for his work on the T.V. movie "The Letter." Donald Brooks passed away on August 3, 2005.

French-born Sara Ripault (1910-2005) began her career as a freelance sketcher, providing fashion illustrations to Paris couture houses such as Marcel Rochas, Molyneux and Balenciaga. Seeking refuge from Germany's invasion during WWII, Ripault accepted an offer in New York from Adele Simpson and assumed the role of Simpson's in-house designer in 1941. Her professional timeline is detailed as follows: A. Simpson Ltd. 1941-50, Mollie Parnis 1951-54, A. Simpson Ltd. 1955-59, Herbert Sondheim 1960-63, M. Parnis 1963-1974, Richelene 1973. Deploring New York's copying of French designs and resisting the general industrialization of the wholesale business, Ripault maintained her practice of sketching extensively after selecting fabrics for a collection.

David Evins was an English shoe designer and known as the "King of Pumps." He studied illustration at the Pratt Institute and was an illustrator for Vogue prior to being a designer. His specialty was in stylish yet comfortable shoes and garnered a clientele of female film stars and political figures.

David Evins was born in London around 1906. He and his family moved to Brooklyn 16 years later. He graduated from New York University and completed some graduate work at the Pratt Institute. He began his career as a fashion illustrator, working for Vogue just after WWII. Evins practically stumbled into shoe design: after taking liberties when drawing a pair of shoes, his editor fired him, stating that if he liked designing shoes, he should do it for a living. Evins started working as a pattern maker as well as designing for different manufacturers. In 1947, he opened his his own factory with his brother in New York. A year later, Evins was given a Coty Award for creating the "shell pump," a heeled shoe with a low cut top that highlighted more of a woman's foot. Evins acquired a factory in France in the early 1950s and began producing more comfortable and lighter-weight shoes. This lead him to become a favorite of movie and theater actresses. Perhaps the most memorable "Evins shoe moment" on the silver screen came in 1955 when Marilyn Monroe stepped on a subway grate, letting her white dress billow up in the subway breeze (her white strappy pumps were designed by Evins). David Evins passed away on December 28th, 1991.

Fay Stofsky worked in the fashion industry throughout the 1920s and into the 1930s.

Handbag designer.

Judith Leiber was born on January 11, 1921 in Budapest, Hungary to a wealthy family. After surviving persecution during WWII, Leiber moved to New York with her new husband, Brooklyn native Gerson (Gus) Leiber. In the U.S. Judith Leiber started working for handbag manufacturers. In 1963, her husband encouraged her to start her own company, which she did. She is perhaps most known for her crystal minaudières bags, a favorite of celebrities and First Ladies. The company "Time Products, London" purchased Leiber’s firm in 1993 and in 1998, Judith retired. The company still produces luxury handbags and has boutiques in department stores and stand alone shops in New York. Leiber was the first handbag designer to be awarded the Coty American Fashion Critics Award in 1973. Leiber passed away on April 28, 2018

Louis Féraud was born in 1920 in Arles, France. He was an active member of the French resistance during WWII. He opened his first shop in Cannes in 1950, quickly becoming a favorite with the European jet set. His popularity grew after Brigitte Bardot wore one of his designs. Bardot loved his clothes and asked him to design her costumes for her films. He moved to Paris in 1955 and in 1956, opened a boutique which was patronized by many celebrities from Europe and the U.S. In 1958, he showed his first couture collection. Throughout the 1960s, he expanded his company, opening shops in various cities. His colorful designs helped establish the bohemian style of the 1960s. In 1970, he teamed up with the German firm Fink to create a ready-to-wear line. Féraud won the Golden Thimble prize for excellence in couture twice, first in 1978 and later in 1984. In 1994 he was named an officer of the French Legion of Honor. Féraud retired in 1995, leaving the company to his daughter, ex-wife, and colleagues. He passed away in 1999.

Fashion illustrator.

Joe Eula was born on Jan. 16, 1925 in Norwalk, Connecticut. After being discharged from the army in 1945, he attended the Arts Student League, and before long, his sketches appeared in Town and Country. Around this time, Eula also began designing for Saks Fifth Ave. In 1970, he became a creative director at Halston. When Halston and four other American designers left to show their collections in Paris (The Battle of Versaille), Eula joined along, creating the backdrops for the American set. In addition to fashion, Eula lent his talent to the other arts, designing album covers, posters, clothes, and even directing a T.V. special for Lauren Bacall. Joe Eula died in New York City in 2004 at the age of 79.

Robert Passantino worked as a fashion illustrator for WWD starting around 1970. His illustrations were inspired by the thin, youthful models of the late 1960s. He enjoyed sketching footwear the best. The dancewear company Capezio offered Passantino a design position but the illustrator declined and continued to sketch.

Adolph Klein was born in Brooklyn around 1908. He studied law before opening a millinery shop in the late 1920s. In 1929, he designed ready-to-wear for Mary Lee (later renamed Adele Simpson Inc.). Three years later, he began working for Paul Parnes, where Klein stayed for eight years. Klein formed Townley, Inc, in 1940, with Claire McCardell. In 1960, he became vice president for the Norman Norell company. Adolph Klein passed away on August 10th, 1968 at the age of 60.

Felix Lallement was a specialty embroidery house that supplied the Parisian couture houses in the 1920s.