Abajian, Robert (1932-1995)
Dates
- Existence: 1932-1995
Biography
Robert (Bob) Abajian received his training from the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 1978, he received the Mortimer Ritter Award, presented for outstanding achievement in design. He was a member and the president in 1992 of Fashion's Inner Circle.
In a 42-year career in the apparel industry, he served as design director for the apparel company College Town/Panther from 1980 to 1983 and spent 11 years as design director for Bobbie Brooks. He joined Liz Claiborne in 1984 as design director and, after a brief period away from the company, returned in 1987 as vice president of the Lizsport line.
As a senior vice president at Liz Claiborne, he was in charge of coordinating design for the $1.1 billion sportswear division, which consists of three lines. He took over the company's design direction when Ms. Claiborne retired as company chairwoman in 1989. He retired in 1994.
He developed a studio at Liz Claiborne where recent design graduates could work with an established director in developing their skills.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Robert Abajian interview, 1985 January 19, 1985 January 19
The Oral History Project of the Fashion Industries began informally in the late 1970s, and was officially funded by a grant from the Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries beginning in 1981. The project was guided by an industry advisory committee chaired by Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, Jr., and was largely guided by then director of the Gladys Marcus Library at FIT, John Touhey.