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Adele Simpson collection

 Collection
Identifier: SC.132

Scope and Contents

This collection contains binders, scrapbooks, fabric swatches, sketches some with attached fabric swatches, B&W photographs some with attached fabric swatches, sketches, clippings, promotion booklets, publicity items, and papers.

Dates

  • Creation: 1932-1970

Creator

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.

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

Adele Simpson began her career working for several 7th Ave ready-to-wear fashion houses in New York. In 1942, she went to work for Mary Lee and worked for Lee under her own name by 1944. She received the Neiman Marcus Award in 1946 and the Coty Award in 1947. In 1949, she bought the Lee's company and renamed it Adele Simpson, Inc. She was known throughout the 1970s and 1980s for her wearable chemise dresses and shirtwaists. Simpson dressed many First Ladies throughout her career.

Full Extent

1 placeholder

Language of Materials

Undetermined

Immediate Source of Acquisition

* Portions of this collection were donated by the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to The Library of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive on May 11, 2011.

* Scrapbooks were likely donated by Adele Simpson in 1978.

Existence and Location of Originals

The Library of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive, 27th St. at 7th Ave., NY, NY , USA, 10001

General

Adele Simpson began her career working for several 7th Ave ready-to-wear fashion houses in New York. In 1942, she went to work for Mary Lee and worked for Lee under her own name by 1944. She received the Neiman Marcus Award in 1946 and the Coty Award in 1947. In 1949, she bought the Lee's company and renamed it Adele Simpson, Inc. She was known throughout the 1970s and 1980s for her wearable chemise dresses and shirtwaists. Simpson dressed many First Ladies throughout her career.

General

Published

General

Minimal

General

Shell record

Title
Adele Simpson collection
Date
2025-06-11
Description rules
Dacs; Isad(g); Lo C
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and FIT Archive Repository

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