(1903-1995) Adele Simpson started her career as a designer at Ben Gershal in 1927. Her sister was employed there, and Gershal hired Adele after asking her sister about who made her dresses. In 1942 she went to work at Mary Lee, where she worked under her own name by 1944. She purchased the company in 1949 and remamed it Adele Simpson, Inc.
Her husband, Wesley Simpson, designed many of the fabrics Adele used in her early designs. She was known for her usage of fabrics, and for her practical, wearable designs.
Adele Simpson was known throughout the 1970s and 1980s for chemise dresses and shirtwaists. After she retired in the early 1980s, the company was run by Adele’s daughter, Joan Simpson Raines.
Designers are often carried away. They make sensational things. I’m tempted that way myself. Adele Simpson, 1976
Written by pastperfectvintage.com
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