Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- d'Errecalde, Edith
- Abstract:
- Edith d'Errecalde (1905-2002) worked for Mainbocher in the 1940s and started her own sportswear firm, Maxmil, in 1951. Later d'Errecalde worked for Evan-Picone and as fashion director for Cohama (Cohn-Hall-Marx). The collection contains photographs, sketches, clippings, advertisements, press kits, correspondence, and notes for articles and lectures. D'Errecalde was a critic and lecturer at Parsons School of Design, 1969-1970.
- Extent:
- 0.5 Cubic Feet and 1 box, 2 oversize folders
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
[Identification of item], [date (if known)], Edith d'Errecalde papers, KA.0023, box __, folder __, New School Archives and Special Collections, The New School, New York, New York.
Background
- Scope and Content:
The Edith d'Errecalde papers include newspaper and magazine clippings, fashion design drawings and sample materials, photographs, reports, and manuscript and lecture notes. The papers document her career as a fashion director, freelance fashion designer, writer, and editor for various fashion publications. Of note is a 1973 event announcement for "Beep," the "first audio-visual fashion magazine," and a report on her trip to China in 1979. Although the trip was undertaken recreationally, it gave her an opportunity to observe garment production and Chinese clothing styles. The collection also includes sketches and publicity materials -- clippings, fashion photographs, and a poster -- for a public health nurse uniform.
The collection covers an expansive range of d'Errecalde's work and professional activities. However, it does not comprehensively document her work for a specific company, and there are no materials representing her work for Charles James. There are no materials in the collection regarding d'Errecalde's personal life.
- Biographical / Historical:
Fashion designer and journalist Edith d'Errecalde Hadamard (1905-2002) was a critic and lecturer at Parsons School of Design in 1969-1970. Born in Strasbourg, France, she studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris before immigrating to the United States in 1939. In the U.S., she worked briefly for Charles James, and in 1941 was hired by the celebrated designer, Mainbocher, who she assisted for eleven years. D'Errecalde was in charge of Mainbocher's workroom and directed many of the fittings. The Duchess of Windsor and actress Mary Martin were two of the firm's best known clients. D'Errecalde also created original designs under Mainbocher's name.
In 1951, d'Errecalde started her own sportswear company specializing in tweeds, incorporating as Maxmil two years later. Evan-Picone hired her in 1955 to develop skirt and blouse designs to supplement its line of pants. In 1959, she became fashion director for Cohama, a division of Cohn-Hall-Marx, one of the largest textile companies in the U.S. During her fifth year there, she revolutionized the world of sportswear by introducing clothing that made innovative use of stretch fabric. After leaving Cohama in 1974, d'Errecalde continued to work in fashion through the end of the decade, focusing on the creation of sweaters and dress patterns. She was also a journalist for GAP (Groupe Avant-Premiere), a French fashion journal in the 1970s.
- Acquisition information:
- Donated by Alice V. Seymour, 2003.
- Arrangement:
Arranged alphabetically.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
To publish images of material from this collection, permission must be obtained in writing from the New School Archives. Please contact: archivist@newschool.edu.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Identification of item], [date (if known)], Edith d'Errecalde papers, KA.0023, box __, folder __, New School Archives and Special Collections, The New School, New York, New York.
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
- CONTACT:
-
archivist@newschool.edu