collection SC.297 - Arnold Scaasi fashion sketches and swatches, 1966-1992

Identity area

Reference code

US NNFIT SC.297

Title

Arnold Scaasi fashion sketches and swatches, 1966-1992

Date(s)

  • 1966-1992 (Creation)

Level of description

collection

Extent and medium

2 linear feet
Sketches, photocopies of sketches, fashion illustrations, swatches, records

Context area

Name of creator

(1930-2015)

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

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

US

Institution identifier

NN.FIT

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Final

Level of detail

Full

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

  • Latin

Sources

Accession area