Mainbocher

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Mainbocher opened fashion houses in both Europe and the United States from the 1930’s until the 1960s. He is best known for designing wedding dresses, especially, Wallis Simpson’s wedding dress when she married at that time the current Duke of Windsor.

Early career

Mainbocher was born in Chicago Illinois and he went to college at the University of Chicago and The Chicago Academy of Fine Art. Then he enlisted in the Army to do some military service in Paris. After completing his military service, Mainbocher stayed in Paris working as a fashion illustrator and fashion editor for Harper’s Bazaar and for French Vogue respectively.

Main career

In 1929, Mainbocher opened a fashion house and designed many made to order dresses and evening gowns. He charged people much money to view his collections of exclusive fashions. Mainbocher also named a color, Wallis blue after he designed many one of a kind dresses and evening gowns for the Duchess of Windsor. He also created and designed the first strapless evening gown. After he moved his design studio next to Tiffany’s, he designed gowns and dresses for both Gloria Vanderbilt and Ethel Merman.

Honors

Mainbocher was one of twenty three fashion designers that were honored with bronze plagues for being placed on the on New York City’s “Fashion Walk of Fame near the garment district. This was a very rare honor for any fashion designer.