Vincent de Paul Draddy interview, 1982 April 1 & June 2, 1982 April 1 & June 2

Vincent de Paul Draddy (1907 - 1990) was an America fashion manufacturer. After graduating from Manhattan College, Draddy worked as a salesman for Union Carbide. During that time, he met and married Ruth Crystal. Crystal's father, David Crystal, owned a women's separates manufacturing firm and invited Draddy to work for the company in 1934. From 1934 to 1974, Draddy worked for David Crystal Inc. In 1937, he hired British designer Jack Izod to design a line of womens shirts. The venture proved successful and the firm expanded into men's and children's wear. In 1950, Draddy became interested in the Lacoste knit shirt. He began producing a collection of them for the American market. To spark interest in the garment, Draddy sent samples to Bing Crosby, Duke of Windsor, and others. By the end of the decade, the garment was the best-selling sports shirt in the $10 retail price range. Draddy retired in 1974 and passed away in 1990.

"Mildred Finger Haines ... helped shape fashion tastes for four decades as a top buyer for department stores and a consultant to clothes makers and retailers.... From the late 1940's through the late 1960's, Mrs. Haines, known throughout her career as Mildred Finger, was a buyer of ready-to-wear at Macy's, Ohrbach's and Bergdorf Goodman, and was one of New York City's most often cited taste makers. At Bergdorf's, in particular, she was noted for bringing European styles to American consumers. She later became Vice President of Charles of the Ritz, headed fashion merchandising for Yves St. Laurent and became an independent consultant, with clients like the Limited and Arthur D. Little. Suffering from multiple sclerosis, she retired in 1986. In succeeding years, she frequently contributed her knowledge of the fashion industry to the oral history projects of the American Jewish Committee and the Fashion Institute of Technology...." New York Times Obituary, 1995

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