Maxwell, Vera, 1901-1995 (1901 April 22-1995 January 15)
Dates
- Existence: 1901 April 22-1995 January 15
Biography
Vera Maxwell (1901-1995) was an American fashion designer. A native of the Bronx, New York, of Viennese parents, Maxwell spent part of her childhood in Vienna. She attended Leonia High School in New Jersey. Then she studied ballet in New York and joined the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in 1919. With a dream of being a dancer, Vera Maxwell arrived in the fashion world through the back door. Working first as a showroom model at B. Altman and other New York City stores, she then became interested in the actual construction of the clothes. Around 1929, Maxwell began sketching for the fashion houses she modeled for. She states that her first “real” design job was with Adler & Adler, where she worked from 1936-1937 and afterwards, found contract work to be very advantageous. Her classic, comfortable, and timeless designs continued to garner praise and in 1947 she founded her own company under her own name, Vera Maxwell Originals. Her career outlasted that of her contemporaries, as she did not stop designing until 1985.
Maxwell was a sportswoman and designed sport clothing all through her career. However, she was most famous for her suits and topcoats, worn for both the city and the country and characterized by excellent tailoring, choice fabrics, beautiful colors, and pragmatism. Her designs were created in a range of sizes, generally going up to a size 18 or 20 at a time when it was unusual for a designer to design clothes above a size 8. Influences on Maxwell's designs came from many sources. One of her early memories was of a visit to Vienna with her father, an aidede-camp to the Emperor Franz Joseph, where she was impressed with the beautifully dressed military officers. Chanel was also an important influence. Long considered a classicist by the industry, Maxwell's clothes were usually described as "handsome, interesting, and eminently wearable," according to a New York Times article from November 1964. In 1960, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of her entry into the fashion business, Maxwell pulled together her favorite designs of the past and discovered she had trouble identifying them by year, an indication of the constancy of her work.
In 1935 Maxwell visited Albert Einstein and was inspired by his Harris tweed jacket which she adapted and paired with a gray flannel skirt and pants, giving an important boost to the concept of separates and what she called the "weekend wardrobe." During the 1940s she designed a coverall, which she considered the first jumpsuit for the women doing war work at the Sperry Gyroscope Corporation. In 1951 she was honored with a Coty Special award for coats and suits. Maxwell met Grace Kelly in 1955 when they were both received Neiman Marcus Fashion Awards and she frequently visited the Royal Family in Monaco. In 1970 she was given a retrospective at the Smithsonian Institution and in 1980 with an exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York. Maxwell retired in 1985 and closed her company. She returned in 1986 with one final collection designed for Peter Lynne before permanently retiring. Maxwell spent her final years with her son and daughter-in-law. She split her time between Gilgo Beach, Long Island and Rincon, Puerto Rico. Maxwell died on January 15, 1995 at age 93.
Found in 113 Collections and/or Records:
Newspaper clippings without pictures, 1970's, 1970's
This folder contains newspaper clippings without pictures related to the Vera Maxwell's retrospective fashion show held at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Also, included are promotional materials and photomechanically reproduced sketches of designs for womenswear.
Picture editorials, 1961, 1961
This folder contains three picture editorials related to Vera Maxwell's 25th Anniversary.
Print and negatives (Monte Carlo show - Indian Collection), 1966, 1966
This folder contains a black & white print and negatives depicting women models wearing Maxwell designs of the Indian Collection. The models are walking in a fashion show in Monaco. Also, included is a price list of samples and accessories related to the same fashion show and a handout related to the collection Fall 1966: westward to "Earliest Americans."
Prints, 1946, 1946
This folder contains black & white prints depicting women models wearing Maxwell designs. Some prints include typed descriptions attached on the reverse side. Also, included is a black & white print depicting Vera Maxwell alongside other women sitting in a gathering.
Prints, 1961
This folder contains black & white prints and a negative depicting women models wearing Maxwell designs. Some prints include typed descriptions attached on the reverse side. There is also a print depicting Vera Maxwell alongside a woman and a model in a fitting session and a negative of a Vera Maxwell mural. Also, included are two booklets related to The Costume Society of America.
Prints, 1970, 1970
This folder contains black & white prints depicting women models wearing Maxwell designs. Some of the prints depict models walking in a fashion show held at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Vera Maxwell also appears alongside two models in fitting sessions in two prints. Also, included are photomechanically reproduced sketches of designs for womenswear and news clippings. There are also two texts about Vera Maxwell that were written for press releases.
Prints, 1975, 1975
This folder contains black & white prints depicting women models wearing Maxwell designs in a fashion show. Also, included is a black & white print depicting Vera Maxwell talking with a woman and other print depicting three women from the fashion show.
Prints, 1977, 1977
This folder contains black & white prints depicting women models wearing Maxwell designs. Some prints depict models walking in a fashion show and/or they include typed descriptions attached on the reverse side. Also, included is a negative depicting Vera Maxwell alongside two people in fashion event.
Prints, Cruise-Spring 1975, Cruise-Spring 1975
This folder contains black & white prints depicting women models wearing Maxwell designs in a fashion show. Some models are doing demonstrations of changing clothes in front of the public. There is also a print that depicts a woman with a girl wearing similar style of dresses in the backstage and other prints depicting Vera Maxwell and/or the public participating in the show. Also, included are contact sheets related to the same fashion show.
Prints, Cruise-Spring 1977, Cruise-Spring 1977
This folder contains black & white prints depicting women models wearing Maxwell designs. Some prints depict models or a girl walking in a fashion show. Vera Maxwell appears in one of the prints as well. Also, included are typed descriptions attached on the reverse side of some prints.