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Slides of runway show(s) by Nina Ricci, spring/summer 1997 and fall/winter 1997., 1997

 folder
Identifier: SC.497.987g

Scope and Contents

Slides of runway show(s) by Nina Ricci, spring/summer 1997 and fall/winter 1997.

Dates

  • Creation: 1997

Creator

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

English Latin

Conditions Governing Access

Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive. If you have any questions, or wish to schedule an appointment contact us at [email protected] or call (212) 217-4385.

Biographical / Historical

Nina Ricci, the French fashion house known for feminine, ladylike clothing and famous perfumes, was founded in 1932 by Nina Ricci, born Maria Nielli, a seamstress turned couture salon stylist, and her son, Robert.



From the start, elegant French women and their daughters streamed through the doors of maison Ricci, seeking debutante dresses, party frocks, and wedding trousseaux distinguished by fine details and luxurious fabrics. To achieve her figure-flattering cuts, the seasoned dressmaker draped on a live model, pinning and snipping with a couturier’s care.



In the ’50s, authorized copies of Nina Ricci couture designs could be found stateside at high-end retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel. By the ’60s, the house was at the forefront of an emerging trend in Paris couture: ready-to-wear. Mademoiselle Ricci, made for the American market, debuted in 1962.



In 1998, the house was acquired by Spanish company Puig. The couture division was shuttered, and Canadian designer Nathalie Gervais was given the task of creating a new identity for the brand. Perfume sales had long been the company’s strongest source of profits—in particular, the best-selling L’Air du Temps, with its instantly recognizable Lalique flacon—but from now on the firm would concentrate on ready-to-wear.

Full Extent

From the Collection: 1 placeholder : * 80 linear feet of slides housed in 160 6"x15.5"x10" boxes. * Accrual added in 2024 not yet processed

General

Nina Ricci, the French fashion house known for feminine, ladylike clothing and famous perfumes, was founded in 1932 by Nina Ricci, born Maria Nielli, a seamstress turned couture salon stylist, and her son, Robert.



From the start, elegant French women and their daughters streamed through the doors of maison Ricci, seeking debutante dresses, party frocks, and wedding trousseaux distinguished by fine details and luxurious fabrics. To achieve her figure-flattering cuts, the seasoned dressmaker draped on a live model, pinning and snipping with a couturier’s care.



In the ’50s, authorized copies of Nina Ricci couture designs could be found stateside at high-end retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel. By the ’60s, the house was at the forefront of an emerging trend in Paris couture: ready-to-wear. Mademoiselle Ricci, made for the American market, debuted in 1962.



In 1998, the house was acquired by Spanish company Puig. The couture division was shuttered, and Canadian designer Nathalie Gervais was given the task of creating a new identity for the brand. Perfume sales had long been the company’s strongest source of profits—in particular, the best-selling L’Air du Temps, with its instantly recognizable Lalique flacon—but from now on the firm would concentrate on ready-to-wear.

General

Published

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and FIT Archive Repository

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