RUSADES AND CRINOLINES

by Ishbel oss ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 25, 1963

From many earlier biographies of Clara Barton, Grace Coolidge, Mrs, Potter almer, Miss Ross now tells the story of Nell and William Jennings Demorest, giants in the 19th century fashion and publishing world. Nell, designer-daughter of a atter, and William, a divinity student who became a merchant, were a fabulously successful team. They schemed to serve both the rich and the poor- profitably. They apered the nation with dressmaking patterns, but lost the copyright to Butterick. However ""Mme. Demorest's Mirror of Fashion"" rivaled Godey's Lady's Book and was the Good Housekeeping-Vogue- and Farmer's Almanac of her day. With her editor, she pioneered in everything from crinolines to co-education. Mr. Demorest became an ardent prohibitionist. Shrewd, refined, ""wholesome"", shadowy, the Demorests are held to account for many of the tastes and trends of the era. But time marched on. New York moved uptown. Girls went to Vassar. Wardrobes became simpler.... A chronology which will seem pedestrian to the young- in stretch pants, but an older age group may enjoy this portrait of middle-class 19th century New York and admire its objectivity and massive research.

Pub Date: Sept. 25, 1963

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper & Row

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1963

Categories: NONFICTION