Skip to main content

Nettie Rosenstein collection, 1937-1960

 Collection
Identifier: SC.13

Scope and Contents

This collection is compromised of 48 folders containing design sketches, reference sketches, promotional photos, design photographs, press clippings and ads throughout the years of Nettie Rosenstein's career

Dates

  • Creation: 1939-1959

Creator

Language of Materials

English Latin

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

Nettie Rosenstein was born in Austria in 1890. She came to the United States at a young age and was making her own clothes by the age of 11. Her dresses were very European inspired, selling for around $500, making them expensive in the ready-to-wear market at the time.Of her, Bill Blass remarked, "she practically invented the little black dress for Americans."

Full Extent

1 placeholder : 23 linear feet: 8 boxes of scrapbooks and 8 boxes of sketches

Arrangement

This is arranged into two series, Sketches and Scrapbooks

Custodial History

Archivist imparted physical control by removing deteriorating, acidic black and brown paper that had no informational value

Immediate Source of Acquisition

No record

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

* Morris, Bernadine. March 15, 1980, "Nettie Rosenstein, a Popularizer Of 'Little Black Dress,' Dies at 90; Came to U.S. in 1890's Prosperity in the Depression," New York Times, p. 24.

General

Nettie Rosenstein was born in Austria in 1890. She came to the United States at a young age and was making her own clothes by the age of 11. Her dresses were very European inspired, selling for around $500, making them expensive in the ready-to-wear market at the time.Of her, Bill Blass remarked, "she practically invented the little black dress for Americans."

General

Published

Processing Information

Arrangment, description, and/or archival processing by Elyse Sedore-Mallin, FIT, NY, NY, USA, 2024

Title
Nettie Rosenstein collection, 1937-1960
Date
2024-05-06
Description rules
Aat; Ansi; Dacs; Dcmi; Isad(g); Iso; Lo C; Niso; Etc
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

Contact: