George Stavropoulos interview, 1990 July 9, 1990 July 09
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: 1990 July 09
Creator
- Finger, Mildred (1924-1995) (Person)
- Stavropoulos, George, 1920-1990 (1920-1990) (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
"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
Biographical / Historical
George Stavropoulos was born in Tripolis, Greece in 1920. He was the seventh of nine children. He began designing at an early age, creating a ball gown for his sister held together with safety pins. He learned by studying books and historic garments in museums. He began designing costumes for the ballet and theater productions. In 1949, Stavropoulos opened his first salon, Nikis B in Athens. He began to collect a small following of both Greek nationals and foreigners who liked his tailored suits and dresses inspired by Greek antiquity. He soon married Nancy Angelakos, who worked for the American embassy in Greece. They moved to New York in 1961. Unable to find work, Stavropoulos hired two seamstresses and began his own business. He refused to copy French designs, relying on the classically influenced silhouettes he was known for in Athens. He began to get accumulate a list of loyal private customers who helped him slowly build his reputation in the U.S. For the U.S. market, Stavropoulos focused on chic-but-comfortable designs. Celebrities loved his flowing evening gowns. These dresses were made out of layers of chiffon, cut to float around the body. George Stavropoulos continued designing up until his death in 1990.
Full Extent
From the Sub-Group: 1 placeholder
Physical Description
Original media: 2 audio cassettes
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
George Stavropoulos was born in Tripolis, Greece in 1920. He was the seventh of nine children. He began designing at an early age, creating a ball gown for his sister held together with safety pins. He learned by studying books and historic garments in museums. He began designing costumes for the ballet and theater productions. In 1949, Stavropoulos opened his first salon, Nikis B in Athens. He began to collect a small following of both Greek nationals and foreigners who liked his tailored suits and dresses inspired by Greek antiquity. He soon married Nancy Angelakos, who worked for the American embassy in Greece. They moved to New York in 1961. Unable to find work, Stavropoulos hired two seamstresses and began his own business. He refused to copy French designs, relying on the classically influenced silhouettes he was known for in Athens. He began to get accumulate a list of loyal private customers who helped him slowly build his reputation in the U.S. For the U.S. market, Stavropoulos focused on chic-but-comfortable designs. Celebrities loved his flowing evening gowns. These dresses were made out of layers of chiffon, cut to float around the body. George Stavropoulos continued designing up until his death in 1990.
General
Published
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and FIT Archive Repository