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Roy Little sketchbooks

 Collection
Identifier: KA-0029-01

Abstract

Roy Little graduated from Parsons School of Design in 1949 and went on to become a designer for renowned French couturier Jacques Fath. He returned to Parsons as an instructor in 1958 and remained in that position until 1979. The nine numbered sketchbooks held by the New School Archives represent Little's work for Fath.

Dates

  • 1951 - 1954

Creator

Extent

1.6 Cubic Feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents of Collection

The nine spiral-bound sketchbooks, or "croquis books," in this collection feature pencil and watercolor fashion sketches. All sketchbooks are labeled "Roy" and are numbered consecutively from 21 through 30 (the book presumably numbered 29 is absent from the collection, as are books 1-20). Materials that had been slipped between pages in the sketchbooks--including magazine clippings, photographs, sketches, and a Jacques Fath measurement chart--have been separated from the sketchbooks. Reproductions of these inserts are in folders directly following the sketchbook from which they were removed. (Original page locations of inserts are recorded on the reproductions.)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment.

Use Restrictions

To publish images of material from this collection, permission must be obtained in writing from the New School Archives. Please contact: archivist@newschool.edu.

Biographical note

Roy Little graduated from the Parsons School of Design Fashion Design Department in 1949. He may have become acquainted with French fashion designer Jacques Fath (1912-1954) soon after graduating, as Fath attended Parsons events and knew Fashion Design Department instructor Jack Hargis, who designed for Fath beginning in 1949.

Little began working for Fath around 1951, and remained in this position until Fath's death. Fath's widow, Genevieve, continued the House of Fath until 1957, when it closed.

Following his return to the United States, Little designed for several New York manufacturers, including Blumenstein, Ross & Lentz. He served on the faculty of Parsons Fashion Design Department from 1958 until the 1978-1979 academic year. In addition to teaching fashion illustration at Parsons, Little received decorative artwork commissions from clients, including the Intercontinental Hotels Corporation. Little resided in Port Jefferson, Long Island.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged numerically by sketchbook.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Probably transferred to the archives in 2000.

Related Materials

Roy Little is depicted in photographs documenting the Fashion Design Department in the Parsons School of Design Alumni Association records (PC.03.02.01) and in Alumni magazine. The New School Archives also holds the Parsons School of Design Fashion Design Department records (pre-2008 accessions) (PC.02.02.01) dating from the period of Little's employment.

Title
Guide to the Roy Little sketchbooks
Status
Completed
Author
New School Archives and Special Collections Staff
Date
February 16, 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin