Elinor Jenkins collection
Scope and Contents
Black and white, and color sketches with swatches, advertisements and promotional material, client information, biographical material, including news clippings, photographs and postcards sent to Jenkins, historical source material.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1940-1970
Creator
- Jenkins Gowns, Inc. (Organization)
- Jenkins, Elinor (Person)
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
New York couture designer for the "smart set" from the 1940's through the 1960's. She and her husband designed dresses, gowns and ensembles for day, dinner, evening and gala occasions. She was known for customizing her designs to her clients' specifications and personalities. Her belief that clothes should be spontaneous and witty appealed to favored clients like Tallulah Bankhead, Hildegarde, Kitty Carlisle, Barbara Stanwyck, and Claudette Colbert. She began her career in the late 1930's at Hickson's, at that time the largest and most elegant house of couture in America. It was at that establishment that she met her husband, Frank, who was creative director. In the 40's they set up their own firm in New York, Jenkins Gowns, Inc. Besides designing for a circle of loyal customers, they designed costumes for many Broadway shows. Elinor studied painting at the National Academy of Design at Norton School of Art, and exhibited in New York in the 1960's. Some of her paintings and gowns are in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York.
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, 10012
General
New York couture designer for the "smart set" from the 1940's through the 1960's. She and her husband designed dresses, gowns and ensembles for day, dinner, evening and gala occasions. She was known for customizing her designs to her clients' specifications and personalities. Her belief that clothes should be spontaneous and witty appealed to favored clients like Tallulah Bankhead, Hildegarde, Kitty Carlisle, Barbara Stanwyck, and Claudette Colbert. She began her career in the late 1930's at Hickson's, at that time the largest and most elegant house of couture in America. It was at that establishment that she met her husband, Frank, who was creative director. In the 40's they set up their own firm in New York, Jenkins Gowns, Inc. Besides designing for a circle of loyal customers, they designed costumes for many Broadway shows. Elinor studied painting at the National Academy of Design at Norton School of Art, and exhibited in New York in the 1960's. Some of her paintings and gowns are in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York.
General
Published
General
Minimal
General
Shell record
- Title
- Elinor Jenkins collection
- Date
- 2025-05-18
- 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