Regina and Michael Brenner opened their lingerie shop at 50 W. 57th St., NYC, around 1936. They adapted Regina’s name to sound more French, reflecting the high-quality, hand-made garments they designed, created, and sold. The location had a large work room and a show room for buyers to view the latest lines.
Regina was already a skilled seamstress when she arrived in the U.S. at age 16 and initially did most of the cutting, sewing, and finishing herself, though she eventually hired a staff of five or six seamstresses. She and Michael occasionally sent bulk orders to Puerto Rico for sewing, to be returned to New York for finishing. Michael handled all the pressing and shipping of orders. He died in 1969, and although Regina tried going it alone, the business closed soon after. She died in 1976 at age 70.
Written by Diane Brenner and Betterdressesvintage
from a 1940s bed jacket
Courtesy of betterdressesvintage