Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1966-1992 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 linear feet
Sketches, photocopies of sketches, fashion illustrations, swatches, records
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Arnold Scaasi was born in Canada in 1930 and is known for dressing five First Ladies, using French couture techniques. Former First Lady Barbara Bush says, "His dresses brought me great joy - whether they were for a state dinner or just a simple suit I could wear anywhere." Scaasi donated over 100 garments and sold his a portion of his archives to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston in 2009, the remainder reside at FIT Special Collections.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection cotains both original and photocopied sketches by Arnold Scassi ranging from 1966-1992. Each sketch is accompanied by a fabric swatch and is separated into 21 folders by the collection season ( i.e., Boutique Fall 92) Fabric content is often noted alongside an indication of its use. For example "Printed silk dress and jacket - dress has printed silk ruffle at neckline with white guipure lace edging. Jacket has matching ruffle cuffs." Included in some folders are pricelist, order forms and handwritten notes.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged into 22 folders: Spring 1966; Couture 1967; Fall 1976 800 Series; Spring 1977; Fall 1977; Spring 1978; Summer Couture 1978; Resort, Spring, Summer [1980s]; Spring Resort 1984; Spring 1984; Spring 1984 Late day and evening; Spring 1985; Resort, Holiday 1986; Fall 1986; Fall 1986; Resort 1988; Fall 1989; Fall 1989; Fall 1992 Boutique; Fall 1992 Boutique; Spring/Summer 1992 Made to Order; and Loose items.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and College Archives. If you have any questions, or wish to schedule an appointment contact us at fitlibsparc@fitnyc.edu or call (212) 217-4385.
Conditions governing reproduction
The Department of Special Collections and FIT Archives does not own copyright for all material held in its physical custody. It is the researcher's obligation to abide by and satisfy copyright law (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#108) when copying or using materials (including digital materials) found in or made available from the department. When possible, the department will inform a researcher about the copyright status of material, the researcher's obligations with regard to such material, and, wherever possible, the owner or owners of the copyrights. Any and all reproduction of originals is at the archivist's discretion.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Generated finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
- Latin