Ben Sommers interview, 1982 November 4, 1982 November 04
Scope and Contents
The Oral History Project of the Fashion Industries began informally in the late 1970s, and was officially funded by a grant from the Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries beginning in 1981. The project was guided by an industry advisory committee chaired by Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, Jr., and was largely guided by then director of the Gladys Marcus Library at FIT, John Touhey.
Dates
- Creation: 1982 November 04
Creator
- Sommers, Ben, 1906-1985 (1906-1985) (Person)
- Finger, Mildred (1924-1995) (Person)
Language of Materials
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.
The contents of this collection are also available to the public via our Archive on Demand repository: https://archiveondemand.fitnyc.edu/items/browse?collection=22
Biographical / Historical
Ben Sommers was the former head of dance and theatrical shoe company Capezio Ballet Makers. He started working at Capezio at age 14 as a stock boy, later working up to being a salesman, and eventually became the president of the company in 1940, were he headed the company for 36 years. He established the Capezio Foundation in 1951, which became a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to dance, giving special assistance to the emerging New York regional ballet movement. In 1957, Sommers created the Capezio Award, which was given for lifetime achievement in dance. He also founded the Association of American Dance Companies and established National Dance Week in 1978, as well as International Dance Week in 1985, to honor dance throughout the world.
Biographical / Historical
"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
Full Extent
From the Sub-Group: 1 placeholder
Physical Description
Original media: 1 audio cassette
General
Ben Sommers was the former head of dance and theatrical shoe company Capezio Ballet Makers. He started working at Capezio at age 14 as a stock boy, later working up to being a salesman, and eventually became the president of the company in 1940, were he headed the company for 36 years. He established the Capezio Foundation in 1951, which became a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to dance, giving special assistance to the emerging New York regional ballet movement. In 1957, Sommers created the Capezio Award, which was given for lifetime achievement in dance. He also founded the Association of American Dance Companies and established National Dance Week in 1978, as well as International Dance Week in 1985, to honor dance throughout the world.
General
"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
General
Published
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and FIT Archive Repository