Monte-Sano & Pruzan collection, 1926-1968
Scope and Contents
This collection holds pencil, ink, and watercolor sketches, many with textile swatches. Designs of European couturiers and Monte-Sano & Pruzan staff designers are represented. Notable among the house designers are Jacques Tiffeau who had worked with Dior and later launched his own design firm in 1966.
Dates
- Creation: 1926-1968
Creator
- Monte-Sano & Pruzan, Ltd. (Organization)
- Monte-Sano, Vincent (Unknown) (Person)
- Pruzan, Max (Organization)
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
Founded in 1915 by Vincent Monte-Sano, the firm was a custom tailoring house for women specializing in better coats and suits. In the 1940's the firm moved to ready-to-wear, gave up its private clientele, and became a wholesale manufacturer for retailers including Bonwit Teller, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. It retained its tradition of fine hand finishing and became an outstanding creative style house in the coat and suit market. When Max Pruzan joined the firm in the 1950's, its name was changed to Monte-Sano & Pruzan. From 1952 to 1958, Jacques Tiffeau worked as a designer for the company. Pruzan retired in 1966 and the firm was liquidated in 1969. Over the years the firm received Coty, Neiman-Marcus, Cotton, and Golden Thimble awards.
Biographical / Historical
Vincent Monte-Sano founded the company Monte-Sano in 1924, starting as a custom tailor. By the mid 1940s he was producing ready-to-wear suits and coats of very high quality. In the 1950s, Max Pruzan became a partner and the company switched names to Monte-Sano & Pruzan. The company added dresses and evening wear to their collections in the 1960s.
Full Extent
1 placeholder
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Immediate Source of Acquisition
* Donation to Rhode Island School of Design by Vincent Monte-Sano in November, 1971.
* Transfer from Rhode Island School of Design to FIT in August, 1982.
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
Founded in 1915 by Vincent Monte-Sano, the firm was a custom tailoring house for women specializing in better coats and suits. In the 1940's the firm moved to ready-to-wear, gave up its private clientele, and became a wholesale manufacturer for retailers including Bonwit Teller, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. It retained its tradition of fine hand finishing and became an outstanding creative style house in the coat and suit market. When Max Pruzan joined the firm in the 1950's, its name was changed to Monte-Sano & Pruzan. From 1952 to 1958, Jacques Tiffeau worked as a designer for the company. Pruzan retired in 1966 and the firm was liquidated in 1969. Over the years the firm received Coty, Neiman-Marcus, Cotton, and Golden Thimble awards.
General
Vincent Monte-Sano founded the company Monte-Sano in 1924, starting as a custom tailor. By the mid 1940s he was producing ready-to-wear suits and coats of very high quality. In the 1950s, Max Pruzan became a partner and the company switched names to Monte-Sano & Pruzan. The company added dresses and evening wear to their collections in the 1960s.
General
Published
General
Minimal
General
Shell record
- Title
- Monte-Sano & Pruzan collection, 1926-1968
- Date
- 2025-05-12
- 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