Helena Rubinstein Foundation collection
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of photographs, books, and papers belonging to the Helena Rubinstein Foundation (1953-2011). The bulk of the collection are photographs of Madame Rubinstein, her portraits, her laboratories, salons, apartment, and modern art collection. The collection also includes catalogs of exhibitions of Madame Rubinstein's portrait collection, her autobiography and other books about the cosmetics industry, video of movies and TV specials about Helena Rubinstein, records of the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, and press pertaining to Madame Rubinstein, Helena Rubinstein Inc. and the Foundation.
Dates
- Creation: 1953-2011
Creator
- Rubinstein, Helena, 1870-1965 (Person)
- Helena Rubinstein Foundation (Organization)
- Helena Rubinstein, Inc. (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
Helena Rubinstein started the Helena Rubinstein Foundation in 1953. Convinced that education was vital to career development, she set up scholarship grants to encourage young women to undertake higher education and to pursue nontraditional careers. The Foundation was a major beneficiary of Helena Rubinstein's legacy when she died in 1965 at the age of 94. Its directors further developed and broadened the philanthropic concepts she initiated and, sensitive to the changing needs of society, supported new and forward-looking programs.
The Helena Rubinstein Foundation ceased operations at the end of 2011. Over its nearly 60 year history, the Foundation distributed over $130 million, primarily to education and community-based organizations in New York City. Foundation assets included an archive of more than 600 photographs, books written by and about Helena Rubenstein, article clippings, and various media, documenting the career of Helena Rubinstein. This collection is now in the care of the library at the Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York.
Biographical / Historical
Helena Rubenstein is a skincare and cosmetics company that was founded by Helena Rubenstein in 1902.
Full Extent
1 placeholder
Language of Materials
Undetermined
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
Helena Rubinstein started the Helena Rubinstein Foundation in 1953. Convinced that education was vital to career development, she set up scholarship grants to encourage young women to undertake higher education and to pursue nontraditional careers. The Foundation was a major beneficiary of Helena Rubinstein's legacy when she died in 1965 at the age of 94. Its directors further developed and broadened the philanthropic concepts she initiated and, sensitive to the changing needs of society, supported new and forward-looking programs.
The Helena Rubinstein Foundation ceased operations at the end of 2011. Over its nearly 60 year history, the Foundation distributed over $130 million, primarily to education and community-based organizations in New York City. Foundation assets included an archive of more than 600 photographs, books written by and about Helena Rubenstein, article clippings, and various media, documenting the career of Helena Rubinstein. This collection is now in the care of the library at the Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York.
General
Helena Rubenstein is a skincare and cosmetics company that was founded by Helena Rubenstein in 1902.
General
Published
General
Minimal
General
Shell record
- Title
- Helena Rubinstein Foundation collection
- Date
- 2025-06-17
- 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