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:
Mollie Parnis Resort 1967 Release Notes, 1967
This folder contains typed notes for Mollie Parnis.
Mollie Parnis Spring 1961-1962, 1961-1962
This folder contains 19 black and white 8x10 photographs of looks from Mollie Parnis's Spring 1962 collection, including some of Liberty of London prints, and one 8x10 negative.
Mollie Parnis Spring 1962 Releases [Spring 1963], 1962-1963
This folder contains the Mollie Parnis Spring 1962 press release with hand-written edits, the press release for Mollie Parnis's Spring 1963 collection, 10 black and white 8x10 photographs of looks from the collection, and picture request forms.
Mollie Parnis - Spring - 1965 File Set, 1964 - 1965
This folder contains 3 black and white 8x10 photographs and negatives of looks from Mollie Parnis's Spring 1965 collection as well as one 8x10 black and white photograph from her Resort 1964-65 collection.
Mollie Parnis - Spring 1965 [Spring 1966], 1966
This folder contains 22 black and white 8x10 photographs of looks from Mollie Parnis's Spring 1966 collection as well as press releases, remarks by Mollie Parnis, and an article by her.
Mollie Parnis Store and press Coordination Fall 1967, 1967
This folder contains correspondence and hand-written notes pertaining to the showing of Mollie Parnis's Fall 1967 collection as well as 8 black and white 8x10 photographs of looks from the collection.
Mollie Parnis Summer 1960, 1960
This folder contains 8 black and white 8x10 photographs of dresses from Mollie Parnis's Summer 1960 collection.
Mollie Parnis Summer 1962 Releases, 1962
This folder contains "Notes for Lou Scobell" from Summer 1962.
Mollie Parnis Summer 1962 [Summer 1960-Summer 1962], 1960-1962
This folder contains the press release and 9 black and white 8x10 photographs of looks from Mollie Parnis's Summer 1962 collection, as well as 9 black and white 8x10 photographs of looks from Mollie Parnis's Summer 1960 collection, one from Fall 1961, and 2 undated photographs of Mollie Parnis designs.
Mollie Parnis Summer 1963, 1963
This folder contains the press release, notes for Lou Scobell, and one black and white 8x10 photograph of a dress, all from Mollie Parnis's Summer 1963 collection.