Parnis, Mollie (1899 March 18-1992)
Dates
- Existence: 1899 March 18-1992
Biography
Brooklyn-born ready-to-wear and boutique designer for women’s clothes, Mollie Parnis was born in 1899 as Sara Rosen Parnis to a poor immigrant family. She started working at the age of 8 years old and briefly studied law at Hunter College before beginning her career in fashion. In 1928, Parnis began as a saleswoman in a showroom of a blouse manufacturer, but soon moved on to designing. In 1933, Parnis opened her own business with her husband Leon Livingston. In the 1940s, she launched her own label.
Parnis’s clothes were feminine, accentuating waistlines with full skirts. She became known for her understated, conservative, well-tailored dresses and suits in luxurious looking fabrics. She designed for several first ladies, including Mamie Eisenhower and Betty Ford, and always kept her prices in a moderate range. Parnis stayed in business throughout the 1980s, closing her salon in 1984. She published a book, ‘Fashion: The Inside Story" and started up an at-home business concentrating on loungewear in 1985.
Parnis passed away in 1992.
Found in 62 Collections and/or Records:
CFDA 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1967-1971
This folder contains correspondence, minutes for meeting at Mollie Parnis offices, press releases, Invitations, fashion show program, and members lists,
CFDA Designer Hemlines Statements 1970, 1970
CFDA Lambert CFDA Files to be Scanned, 1944-1979, CFDA winners, 1944-1979
This folder contains correspondence, 8 x 10 black and white photographs of designer portraits and ensembles by the designers, and biographies of winning designers. Designers photographed include: Mollie Parnis, Halston, Trigere, David Evans, Calvin Klein, Adrian, Arnold Scaasi, Anna Potok, John Weitz, Thomas Brigance, Sydney Wragge, Bill Blass, and Willi Smith.
Mollie Parnis 1960, 1960
This folder contains 10 black and white 8x10 photographs of looks from Mollie Parnis's Spring 1960 collection.
Mollie Parnis 1963 "Famous Designer" Column Phil. Inquirer, 1962-1963, 1962-1963
This folder contains clippings from The Philadelphia Inquirer of three columns by Mollie Parnis from 1962 and 1963, including one about her trip to Russia, as well as drafts and correspondence related to these columns.
Mollie Parnis 1963 Resort & Holiday Mailing List and File Set, 1962-1963
This folder contains 16 black and white 8x10 photographs of looks from Mollie Parnis's Resort 1962-63 collection, with captions, and notes for Lou Scobell.
Mollie Parnis 1967 Correspondence, 1966-1967
This folder contains 3 letters to and from Eleanor Lambert pertaining to Mollie Parnis from 1966 and 1967.
Mollie Parnis, 1975-1976, 1975-1976
This folder contains 2 black and white 8x10 photographs of looks labeled Parnis and date stamped 1975 and 1976.
Mollie Parnis collection, 1935-1984
Mollie Parnis "Designer at Home" Fall 1963 Collection, 1963
This folder contains black and white 8x10 photographs of Mollie Parnis at home, as well as 3 looks from her advance Fall 1963 collection (multiple copies, 10 total).