Joseph Whitehead collection, circa 1920-1959

Joseph Whitehead was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and moved to New York after his High School graduation when a high-end retailer invited him to join on a buying trip. Whitehead's first job was working at the Corbeau, Inc. garment factory for $8 a week. Over seven years, Whitehead was able to convince his employers to take his designs seriously and produce them under the Corbeau label. In 1933, Whitehead along with Charles White, a Corbeau employee, teamed up with Joseph Brenner and formed Brenner, Joseph & White. 3 years later, the company was renamed Joseph Whitehead, Inc. after the death of Joseph Brenner. The fashion brand focused primarily on evening wear and were noted as to creating the first dinner-at-home dress. The company closed its doors in 1942, however Whitehead continued to design women's clothes and lingerie for other firms including Herbert Sondheim, Inc., Phillip Salkin, Inc. and others. In the late 1940's he headed a division of Foxbrownie, Inc. that specialized in upscale, ready-to-wear womenswear. Joseph Whitehead passed away in March, 1980. He is remembered for his bridal gowns and "dinner-at-home" dresses.

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