CARNEGIE, HATTIE

(1889-1956)

Born in Vienna, Austria, as Henrietta Kanengeiser, Hattie moved to New York City as a child. She took her name from the richest man in the world, Andrew Carnegie. She began her career in 1909, interpreting French couture. She named her company Carnegie—Ladies' Hatter. In 1918, she changed the name to Hattie Carnegie, Inc., and opened shops, a wholesale business, and factories to produce jewelry and cosmetics. She is best known for her wealthy clientele consisting of society and movie stars. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Carnegie gave many budding American designers a start, most notablyJames Galanos,Claire McCardell,Norman Norell, andPauline Trigere. Carnegie is associated in the current fashion world as the creator of the "little Carnegie suit."

See alsoBrand image.