Silverman, Jerry

The label Shannon Rodgers for Jerry Silverman was established in 1959. Rodgers had previously designed for the movies, and later worked with Silverman at Martini, a dress company that did adaptations of Paris designs. Rodgers and Silverman continued this practice in their own firm and were known for their Americanized versions of Balenciaga designs. Silverman, an attorney and businessman, handled the business end, while Rodgers was the design half of the team.

The company’s designs were simple, but elegant, dresses, often with a single decoration to add interest. The business closed around 1978. In 1983, Silverman and Rodgers donated their $5 million clothing and arts collection to Kent State University, where it formed the basis of Kent State’s museum collection of historical fashion. Silverman died in 1984.

See also: Shannon Rodgers

Written by fuzzylizzie

from a late 1960s cocktail dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a late 1970s ultrasuade coat.

Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from an early 1990s skirt suit

Courtesy of claireshaeffer