Article # 7...Origins (famous designers and their beginnings)
Some of our most beloved designers had their
origins designing for larger companies before
creating their own labels. I get very excited
when I come across an item that may have
been an early design from someone important
in their fledgling years. Did you know that
Anne Klein started out designing for the
Junior Sophisticates label in 1948? From
time to time I have come across Junior Sophisticates
dresses from the late 40s and early 1950s.
It just thrills me to think they are most
likely early Anne Klein!
I am going to give a sample list of some
famous designers and their origins. Keep
it in mind when you search for your vintage.
You might just be looking at a piece of Fashion
History !
1. For a while in the 1930s Ceil Chapman
worked with two other gals Thelma Furness
and Gloria Vanderbilt. They turned out dresses
under a label called Her Ladyship Gowns!
2. Geoffrey Beene designed early on for a
company called Harmay creating ladylike daywear
in such lovely fabrics as wool tweeds and
fine linen.
3. Bill Blass designed for a few people before
becoming one of Americas most famous couturiers.
In the 1940s it was the David Crystal label.
In the mid 1950s he joined Anna Miller which
merged in 1959 with Maurice Rentner. The
labels in the Rentner dresses give credit
to Bill Blass. I have a lovely Bill Blass
gown for Maurice Rentner which will be added
to the site shortly!
4. Bonnie Cashin designed for Adler and Adler
during the 1930s and then again from 1949-1953.
5. Halston started with millinery and worked
for Lilly Dache during the 1950s. He then
went on to create hats
for Bergdorf Goodmans where he stayed for
10 years before beginning his clothing designs!
6. Liz Claiborne designed for 16 years during
the 1960s and 70s for Youth Guild a division
of Johnathan Logan.
7. Donna Karan worked for Anne Klein before
1985 and so the cycle continues!