Main Bocher

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Main Bocher
Born
Main Rousseau Bocher

(1890-10-24)October 24, 1890
Chicago, Illinois
, U.S.
DiedDecember 27, 1976(1976-12-27) (aged 86)
Educationstudied art at the University of Chicago and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts
OccupationEditor-in-chief of the French edition of Vogue
Known forThe short evening dress; the famous beaded evening sweaters; the strapless evening gown; bare-armed blouses for suits; the costume-dyed furs
AwardsBronze plaque on New York City's Fashion Walk of Fame

Main Rousseau Bocher (October 24, 1890 – December 27, 1976), also known as Mainbocher, was an American couturier best known for the eponymous fashion label he founded in 1929. Although often pronounced "Man-bo-shay," his name is pronounced "Maine-Bocker."[1]

Early life

Bocher was a native of

French edition of Vogue in early 1927. Main Bocher's decision to become a couturier grew out of his years as editor at Vogue
; he realized that his critical eye and his feeling for fashion might also serve him as a designer.

Innovations

Mainbocher's innovations include short evening dresses; beaded evening sweaters; the

batiste, voile, organdy, piqué, linen, and embroidered muslin; the waistcinch; man-tailored dinner suits; bows instead of hats; the principle of the simple dress with many tie-ons (shirt-like aprons, changeable jackets); the sari evening dress; the "bump" shoulder (a sort of modified leg-o'-mutton sleeve) on suits and coats; the evening version of the "tennis dress," a white evening dress with "V" neck and stole; the revival of crinolines; and the rain suit.[1]

Legacy

In 2002, Mainbocher was honored with a bronze plaque on New York City's Fashion Walk of Fame in the legendary garment district.

Christian Dior said of him, "Mainbocher is really in advance of us all, because he does it in America."[2]

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ The New York Times, Mainbocher Stands for a Fitting, March 25, 1956