Designer Profile: Jack Horwitz

"Born in London, UK, 1 January 1892, Jacob Horwitz immigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was a child. After graduating in 1910 he opened a grocery with a friend in Manhattan. As a member of the National Guard, he was called into service in 1916 to quell Pancho Villa along the Mexican border, but by the time he had returned the grocery business had gone bankrupt. After returning from serving in the U.S. army during World War I, Horwitz went into business again with a partner, this time making shirtwaists (blouses) and shirtwaist dresses. By 1925 they had formed the company Horwitz and Duberman.

Image of the designer and his signature from a 1951 Pattern Package.

In the 1930s, Horwitz became a pioneer in the field of Junior wear (along with department store owner Irving Sorger and French designer Jacques Heim). Until the 1930s teenagers and collegiate aged girls adjusted ready-made adult-sized dresses to fit their smaller frames, but Junior sized clothing was designed in youthful styles specifically for the smaller framed, shorter-waisted younger woman. Horwitz, who considered himself a manufacturer and stylist, not a designer, hired young women to design the clothes. His first label ‘Judy ‘n Jill’, which was in business from the late 1930s to the late 1950s, was carried by stores across the U.S. Another line he launched in 1939 was branded ‘Deanna Durbin’, after the popular teenage singing actress.

New York Times

Horwitz was awarded the Coty Award in 1947 for his role in creating the Junior market.  In the early 1950s Horwitz bought out his partner Duberman, and the company became known as Jack Horwitz Associates. He retired from his own company by 1960, and died in 1992 at the age of 100." - Source: Fashion's Hall of Obscurity.

 The designer Shannon Rodgers worked as a designer for this fashion house, the labels feature "From the Jack Horwitz Custom Collection by Shannon Rodgers.

I have a dress available that I have curated from the 55,000 Dresses Collection.

1950's Jack Horwitz / Shannon Rodgers evening dress. A floral print fabric adorned with gold metallic threading with an overlay of black mesh, it gives the illusion of fish net stockings. The skirt is full and shown with a petticoat (not included)A sexy deep V in the back with a double bow detail, metal zipper and spaghetti straps complete the design.

B = 36"

W = 29"

H = open

L = 48" from top of straps to hem

*Tip: Die to the semi-sheer nature of the floral fabric, add a colored slip and/or petticoat to change the look of the dress to re-style it in a different way.

Jack Horwitz Associated Inc. was active in the 1950s. The designer Shannon Rodgers worked as a designer for this fashion house, the labels feature "From the Jack Horwitz Custom Collection by Shannon Rodgers"

*Dry Cleaned

*Complimentary US Shipping

$180

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DRESStory: The History Of A Dress

In my many years of buying and selling Vintage clothing I rarely get the full history of a dress that I acquire. I love fashions past for its design details, unique fabrics and sustainability. I am always left wondering about the story behind each dress.

I recently got an email from a lady who had read my post about Designer Emma Domb back in 2012 (which upon recent review could use an update).

She was wanting to part with her prom dress from 1958 and asked if I wanted to acquire it. I am drowning in dresses due to my partnership with Paul Brockmann of the 55,000 Dress Collection and couldn't imaging assuming one more piece of inventory .... until I heard this DRESStory.

The dress was gifted to her on a game show in 1958, "It Could Be You". She was told the dress was created "just for her". She wore it to her prom the same year with her high school sweetheart.

They were married for 54 years. She lost him in 2016 and now it is time for her gorgeous prom dress to have a new life. She was the original owner and the dress was worn once.

The dress has been professionally dry cleaned and is ready to start it's new life! Prom? Cocktail Party? Dinner? Wedding? Dapper Day? Just Because?

 Shown without a petticoat

DRESS DETAILS

Vintage Designer 1950's Emma Domb Pink prom/party dress. This beauty was acquired from it's original owner who wore it once to prom in 1958 with her high school sweetheart (that she subsequently married). The dress was gifted to her on a televised game show "It Could Be You". Now it is your turn to give this dress a new life.

The baby pink chiffon is perfection. The waist has 2 other colors of pink with front bow details. Strapless silhouette with boning in the bodice. Metal zipper and layers of chiffon and tulle in the skirt. The images show the skirt with and without a petticoat.

B = 34"

W = 26"

H = open

Dry Cleaned

Priority Shipping is complimentary in the USA

$250

LINK TO SHOP

Check This Out

I’m back .... again. Blogging and I have a love/hate relationship. Well, more like a I don’t have time to prioritize writing in this space, but I should. 

I was checking out the style at the Cannes film festival and fell in love with this jacket worn by Ashlee Simpson and designed by Antonio Berardi for his Fall 2019 collection. 

 I also love it styled both ways!

The look as presented in the Fall collection.

For those of you who follow my social media I am forever tying to inspire and educate about the fact that fashions past is ALWAYS present and in a cyclical industry how could it not be? Looking back I remembered 2 other  amazing black and white checked jackets I adore.

Gianni Versace Fall/Winter 1992

Also, the jacket that was part of the costumes for the 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” worn by Jane Russell’s character. The wardrobe was designed by Travilla. 

It now resides in the Star costume collection at Western Costume company.

When checking out your personal style remember you can look back to the past AND  be stylish in the present. 

Which jacket do you prefer?