Tag Archives: textiles

Harford Frocks, 1947

When I opened up the 1947 sales kit for a Harford Frocks representative, I was astonished. The cards, housed at the Rubenstein Library at Duke University, looked exactly like those for Fashion Frocks, a much better known company.  After some … Continue reading

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At the Craft Fair, mid 1970s

These brightly colored pictures might document a women’s club charity sale. Although they have no date, I think they come from the mid 1970s. My first clue was the lime green check pantsuit worn by the woman on the right.  … Continue reading

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Edith Wharton in Knits, 1920s

If you have read any of Edith Wharton’s novels, you know that she was extremely interested in clothes.  Lily Bart’s decline in House of Mirth is indicated when she can no longer afford to keep up with fashion.  In The … Continue reading

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New Archives to Explore—Textile Records at Cornell University

Not everyone gets excited when they hear the word “archive,” but I do.  And combine “archive” with “textiles” and my blood really starts rushing. Recently, the history librarian at my university sent me news that Cornell University Library has acquired … Continue reading

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The World of Beatrice F. Auerbach

Beatrice Fox Auerbach (1887-1968) was not raised to become a woman of business. Born into the family that owned the G. Fox & Co. department store in Hartford Connecticut, she received the kind of finishing school education her parents believed … Continue reading

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Visiting the Texollini Factory

One of the members of my American Sewing Guild group organized a field trip to a local textile mill specializing in knits called Texollini.  According to our guide, Merchandizing Director Sherry Wood, the plant is one of the few vertically … Continue reading

Posted in 2010s | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Carolyn Schnurer’s Flight to India

If you like to travel, envy the life of mid century American designer Carolyn Schnurer (1908-1998). During World War Two, she convinced the British Overseas Air Company, the department store Peck and Peck, and a number of American textile manufacturers … Continue reading

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The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing

My most vivid memory of India is a visit to the Anokhi Museum outside of Jaipur.  Anokhi is a company and foundation dedicated to preserving hand block printing techniques.  The museum, a rebuilt former mansion, is filled with beautiful examples … Continue reading

Posted in 2010s | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Colors in India

You don’t see much black in India.  Women’s clothes vibrate with beautiful colors.  The combinations and pattern mixes can be surprising and inspiring. You get the idea from this photo of an older and a younger woman taken from the … Continue reading

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An Evening in India

Charity balls have always confused me.  If everyone donated the time and money that it takes to plan and participate, wouldn’t that benefit the charity more?  But then we wouldn’t have photographs like the one above. This staged shot was … Continue reading

Posted in 1950s | Tagged , , | 3 Comments