Fortuny (Firm)

Dates

• Existence: 1922-

Biography

Fortuny was founded in the first decade of the 20th century by Mariano Fortuny. Fortuny's first garments were scarves, which he named Knossos. In 1907, he introduced the dress that would become synonymous with the name Fortuny; the Delphos gown is a pleated, column-shaped dress with minimal seaming. Two years after creating the first Delphos, Fortuny patented the design, noting "This invention is related to a type of garment derived from the classical robe, but its design is so shaped and arranged that it can be worn and adjusted with was and comfort.” Beginning in 1912, Fortuny worked exclusively in the Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei. Production continued to grow during the 1910s, and in 1921, he moved production to the Giudecca factory. Elsie McNeill Lee, a New York interior designer, met Fortuny in 1929 and convinced him to allow her to be the sole Fortuny distributor in the U.S. Her store at 509 Madison Avenue sold Fortuny textiles and dresses. Mariano Fortuny passed away in 1949. By this time, the company was producing textiles exclusively. McNeill, now the owner of the company, moved to Venice to oversee the Fortuny production. In 1988, McNeill sold the company to Maged Riad, who has continued the legacy of the Fortuny brand. Today, one can find Fortuny fabrics in over 100 independent showrooms.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records: