Skip to main content

Samuel Winston sketches, 1956-1970

 Collection
Identifier: SC.48

Scope and Contents

Original color and black and white sketches of womenswear from circa 1956-1970.

Dates

  • Creation: 1956-1970

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

Born in New York City, Samuel Winston got his first job as a piece goods buyer, and added experience as a dress salesman. After a brief whirl in a retail shop, he switched back to wholesale manufacturing when he organized Milmont Gowns and became its vice president. His career was then spent between retail and wholesale manufacturing in the fashion industry on 7th Ave. In 1950, he founded Samuel Winston, Inc. and engaged Roxane Kamenstein and internationally known Charles James as his designers. The arrangement with James ended acrimoniously when James pulled out of the relationship, accusing Winston's company of stealing designs and not crediting him. James successfully sued, but became broke in the process, while Samuel Winston went on to continue his successful career. His primary designer, Roxane Kamenstein, won the 1960 Coty Award for her beaded evening wear. Winston was in business with Geoffrey Beene at some point in the late 1940s.

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, 10005

General

Born in New York City, Samuel Winston got his first job as a piece goods buyer, and added experience as a dress salesman. After a brief whirl in a retail shop, he switched back to wholesale manufacturing when he organized Milmont Gowns and became its vice president. His career was then spent between retail and wholesale manufacturing in the fashion industry on 7th Ave. In 1950, he founded Samuel Winston, Inc. and engaged Roxane Kamenstein and internationally known Charles James as his designers. The arrangement with James ended acrimoniously when James pulled out of the relationship, accusing Winston's company of stealing designs and not crediting him. James successfully sued, but became broke in the process, while Samuel Winston went on to continue his successful career. His primary designer, Roxane Kamenstein, won the 1960 Coty Award for her beaded evening wear. Winston was in business with Geoffrey Beene at some point in the late 1940s.

General

Published

General

Minimal

General

Shell record

Title
Samuel Winston sketches, 1956-1970
Date
2025-05-13
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

Contact: