Billy Baldwin and Julian Tomchin scrapbook

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: SC.414

Scope and Contents

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This collection contains one item only, a scrapbook created in 1976 with black and white photographs, invitation cards and newspaper clippings, which focuses almost solely on events pertaining to the introduction of a line of sheets that Baldwin designed for Wamsutta / Sanger Harris. Clippings are all from local Dallas, TX newspapers, and consist of advertisements for the sheets and interviews with Baldwin. The bulk of the photographs document two receptions held in the area to celebrate the new line, one held at the Dallas Civic Opera and the other hosted by the Texas chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers, ASID. Baldwin and Tomchin are pictured extensively, along with Wamsutta's president Bob Berry, Susan Marcus, and other event attendees.

Also included in the scrapbook, on the first page, are 5 photographs of interiors which appear to be in the same unidentified residence and were presumably designed by Baldwin; the interiors depict dining areas, living rooms and a bedroom.

Dates

Creation: Oct - Nov 1976

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 wish to schedule an appointment to view this material or have any questions, visit our website.

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

Julian Tomchin was a multitalented textile designer and artist, with a career spanning fashion textiles to home decor. Born in Brooklyn in 1932, he fell in love with textile design while studying at Manhattan's High School of Music and Art. After receiving a degree in fine arts from Syracuse University, Tomchin began his career as a vice president at Maxwell Industries overseeing their textile divisions; he later partnered with department stores such as Bloomingdale's before starting his own company. Tomchin applied the same "pure romance" design ideology to textiles whether they were draped on a body or upholstering a chair; notable women such as Elizabeth Taylor and Jean Shrimpton wore his designs, while others are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tomchin is the only textile designer to win the prestigious Coty award; other accolades include the Vogue American Fabric Design award.

Full Extent

2.4 Linear Feet (One oversized flat box)

Full Extent

17 Sheets : Oversized scrapbook pages, most with content still attached

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Correspondence from the Edward C. Blum Design Lab at FIT dated Dec 10, 1984 indicates that this scarpbook was donated by Julian Tomchin to the Museum, but then deaccessioned and transferred to the library on that date. This document also refers to the Tiger Fabrics scrapbooks transferred from the FIT Museum at the same time, so the original document has been filed under SC.553.