Jacques Fath collection

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: SC.140

Scope and Contents

This collection contains original and photocopied content from scrapbooks (including print ads, press, editorial copy, and biographical sketches), photographs of collection, photographic portraits and other documents related to the collaboration between Joseph Halpert and Jacques Fath. There is also material related to Halpert's pattern designs for Spadea Syndicates Inc.

Dates

Creation: 1949 - 1974

Creator

Halpert, Joseph ([1896]-1959) (Person)
Fath, Jacques, 1912-1954 (1912-1954) (Person)

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 wish to schedule an appointment to view this material or have any questions, visit our website.

Conditions Governing Use

The Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive does not own copyright for all material held in its physical custody. It is the researcher's obligation to abide by and satisfy copyright law (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#108) when copying or using materials (including digital materials) found in or made available from the department. When possible, the department will inform a researcher about the copyright status of material, the researcher's obligations with regard to such material, and, wherever possible, the owner or owners of the copyrights. Any and all reproduction of originals is at the archivist's discretion

Biographical / Historical

Joseph Halpert was an American clothing manufacturer. In 1914, Halpert went into business with Julius Golstein as a dress manufacturer until 1930 when he established The Joseph Halpert Corporation. Hapert's dresses were known for their high style yet wearable designs. He was a founder of the Fashion Originators Guild and served on the board of Marine Midland Trust Company. He liquidated The Joseph Halpert Corporation in 1954 and then served briefly as President of the J.R. McMullen Company before his death in 1959.

(The above biographical note was created by former FIT SPARC staff; while no bibliography is present, the content is presumed to have been researched to verify accuracy.)

Biographical / Historical

Jacques Fath was born in Lafitte, France, on September 12, 1912. He began a career in bookkeeping, later becoming a trader at the Paris Bourse from 1930 to 1932. Fath opened his couture house in 1936. In 1937, Fath showed his first fashion collection in Paris but had to wait until 1940 to reopen his salon. After the war, Fath added a perfume line in 1945. Fath designed a ready-to-wear collection for American manufacturer Joseph Halpert in 1948. Fath is considered to be part of the "big three" post-war Parisian designers, along with Dior and Balmain. In 1954, Fath launched a ready-to-wear collection in Paris. Unfortunately, in November of that year, Fath passed away at the age of 42.

(The above biographical note was created by former FIT SPARC staff; while no bibliography is present, the content is presumed to have been researched to verify accuracy.)

Biographical / Historical

Son of an English mother and French father, Fath began his career as a portrait painter. In 1937, he turned his attention to dress design. In 1948, Joseph Halpert, the American dress manufacturer introduced Fath's couture designs to America, where they were enthusiastically received. Halpert, a former amateur prize-fighter and motorcyclist, had begun his apparel manufacturing business at the age of 18. In the years before World War II, he established himself as on of the country's leading dress manufacturers. His association with Fath benefited both men, and inspired them to form an independent firm, Halfa Sales Corp., which licensed boutique accessories designed by Fath.

(The above biographical note was created by former FIT SPARC staff; while no bibliography is present, the content is presumed to have been researched to verify accuracy.)

Full Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (One tall document box)

Language of Materials

English

French

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is organized by 4 series. Series 1 contains tear sheets. Series 2 contains photographs. Series 3 contains press clippings on Jacques Fath and Joseph Halpert. Series 4 contains miscellaneous information.