Skip to main content

Monte-Sano & Pruzan, Ltd.

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1915-1969

Biography

Founded in 1915 by Vincent Monte-Sano, the firm was a custom tailoring house for women specializing in better coats and suits. In the 1940's the firm moved to ready-to-wear, gave up its private clientele, and became a wholesale manufacturer for retailers including Bonwit Teller, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. It retained its tradition of fine hand finishing and became an outstanding creative style house in the coat and suit market. When Max Pruzan joined the firm in the 1950's, its name was changed to Monte-Sano & Pruzan. From 1952 to 1958, Jacques Tiffeau worked as a designer for the company. Pruzan retired in 1966 and the firm was liquidated in 1969. Over the years the firm received Coty, Neiman-Marcus, Cotton, and Golden Thimble awards.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

American Designer Series showings Spring 1965, 1964-1965

 folder
Identifier: SC.214.5.1.17
Scope and Contents This folder contains correspondance list of attendees, press clippings, press releases, show schedules for the Spring 1964 American Designer Series showings. Designers participating in the showing include: Ben Reig, Donald Brooks for Townley, Pattullo-Jo Copeland, Davidow, Hannah Troy, Aurther Jablow, Nat Kaplan, Anne Klein for Junior Sophisticates, Gothe, Anthony Blotta, Branell, Hattie Carnegie, Originala, Harvey Berin, Teal Traina, Samuel Winston, Larry Aldrich, Bill Blass for Maurice...
Dates: 1964-1965

Monte-Sano & Pruzan collection, 1926-1968

 Collection
Identifier: SC.36
Scope and Contents

This collection holds pencil, ink, and watercolor sketches, many with textile swatches. Designs of European couturiers and Monte-Sano & Pruzan staff designers are represented. Notable among the house designers are Jacques Tiffeau who had worked with Dior and later launched his own design firm in 1966.

Dates: 1926-1968