Edith Flagg
Encyclopedia
Edith Flagg is a Romania
n-born American
fashion designer, former fashion industry executive, and philanthropist
.
Forces that fought the Nazi regime and saved multiple Jewish and non-Jewish lives during the war. Her first husband Hans Stein died in Auschwitz concentration camp.
By 1965, the business had grown with offices and showrooms across the United States including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Charlotte and an office in London as well as a factory in Hong Kong.
The firm success was built on the use of double knit fabrics imported from Europe and on the 1965 introduction of polyester to the United States. In 1965, the firm became the first to import polyester “Crimplene” (produced by Imperial Chemical Industries
) to the United States. Edith Flagg had an exclusive contract with Fine Jersey LTD., London, to produce 100% polyester knits, as well as ICI to advertise “Crimplene” across the United States. The British company paid Flagg to advertise the fabric and popularize it across the United States. All Flagg advertisements contained the official “ICI” seal. Flagg later had a contract with Diolen Loft for a short period. In 1966, her only son, Michael, joined the family business and in 1973 added the smaller yet very popular line, “Three Flaggs”.
By the 1960s, the firm had three factories contracting exclusively for them and was doing annual sales volume of $5 million dollars. By 1971, 70% of the Edith Flagg collection consisted of polyester
knits.
Edith Flagg main operations were based in the “Cooper Building” in Downtown Los Angeles. The company's largest accounts were with Bullock's
, Saks
, Neiman Marcus
, The May Department Stores Company, Robinson's, Lord & Taylor
and other major American department stores. Flagg also developed thousands of boutique accounts across the United States.
In 1966, Edith Flagg bought an office building, located at 400 South Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills known as “The Beverly Co.” The building was also known as “The Flagg Building”, because of the large Flagg sign located on top of the building. The family owned the “The Beverly Co.” on the corner of Beverly Drive and Olympic Blvd. until 1996 when they sold it.
Flagg and her husband were active contributors to “California Apparel News” and Women’s Wear Daily. They wrote a weekly column titled “By the Way”. Eric Flagg served as the president of the California Fashion Creators for three terms in 1968, 1969 and again in 1974. In 1971, Edith and Eric Flagg were elected to the Advisory Board of Directors for Manufacturers Bank.
were the 1971 recipients of the “Brotherhood Award” by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In March 1981, the Flaggs were honored with the “Morse Award” by the United Jewish Welfare Fund’s Apparel Division. In October 1982, the couple was honored by Magen David Adom (Israel’s Official Red Cross Service). Edith and Eric Flagg were honored in July 1985 by the United Jewish Fund. In 1991, the couple were named to the City of Hope National Medical Center
’s Gallery of Achievement, the “Hall of Fame” for people committed to the City of Hope. Eric Flagg was on the Board of Directors of the City of Hope from 1970-1990. Edith and Eric Flagg, as well as their son and daughter-in-law Cindy, have permanent plaques at the Jewish Federation Building on Wilshire Blvd. Edith and her husband have permanent plaques at the City of Hope National Medical Center
as well.
Edith Flagg and her family have also been involved with Tel-Aviv University, the American Jewish Committee
, The Guardians for the Jewish Home for the Aging and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
; her son Michael serves on executive boards of both organizations.
Her daughter-in-law, Cindy, is a United Hostess of Cedars-Sinai. Cindy is also the daughter of philanthropist and community leader Herman Platt
.
Edith Flagg: Celebrating 20 years of Success California Apparel News page 9 Friday June 11, 1976
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n-born American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fashion designer, former fashion industry executive, and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
.
Early life
Flagg was born in a small town in Romania. Flagg, her second husband Eric Flagg (1916—1999), and son Michael Flagg (born 1943), are World War II survivors. Flagg and her husband were active members of the Dutch ResistanceDutch resistance
Dutch resistance to the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II can be mainly characterized by its prominent non-violence, summitting in over 300,000 people in hiding in the autumn of 1944, tended to by some 60,000 to 200,000 illegal landlords and caretakers and tolerated knowingly...
Forces that fought the Nazi regime and saved multiple Jewish and non-Jewish lives during the war. Her first husband Hans Stein died in Auschwitz concentration camp.
Background
Flagg’s multi-million dollar clothing-line, “Edith Flagg, Inc.” (1956–2000), was one of the dress-manufacturers in the United States from 1950’s through the early 1990’s. “Edith Flagg” started in a small office at 620 Maine Street in Downtown Los Angeles with an investment of $2000, and two employees, Edith and her husband Eric.By 1965, the business had grown with offices and showrooms across the United States including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Charlotte and an office in London as well as a factory in Hong Kong.
The firm success was built on the use of double knit fabrics imported from Europe and on the 1965 introduction of polyester to the United States. In 1965, the firm became the first to import polyester “Crimplene” (produced by Imperial Chemical Industries
Imperial Chemical Industries
Imperial Chemical Industries was a British chemical company, taken over by AkzoNobel, a Dutch conglomerate, one of the largest chemical producers in the world. In its heyday, ICI was the largest manufacturing company in the British Empire, and commonly regarded as a "bellwether of the British...
) to the United States. Edith Flagg had an exclusive contract with Fine Jersey LTD., London, to produce 100% polyester knits, as well as ICI to advertise “Crimplene” across the United States. The British company paid Flagg to advertise the fabric and popularize it across the United States. All Flagg advertisements contained the official “ICI” seal. Flagg later had a contract with Diolen Loft for a short period. In 1966, her only son, Michael, joined the family business and in 1973 added the smaller yet very popular line, “Three Flaggs”.
By the 1960s, the firm had three factories contracting exclusively for them and was doing annual sales volume of $5 million dollars. By 1971, 70% of the Edith Flagg collection consisted of polyester
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
knits.
Edith Flagg main operations were based in the “Cooper Building” in Downtown Los Angeles. The company's largest accounts were with Bullock's
Bullock's
Bullock's was a department store based in Los Angeles, California. The company operated full-line department stores all across California, with some stores in Arizona and Nevada. Bullock's also operated the more upscale Bullocks Wilshire in parts of Southern California.- History :Bullock's was...
, Saks
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue is a luxury American specialty store owned and operated by Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises , a subsidiary of Saks Incorporated. It competes in the high-end specialty store market in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, i.e. 'the 3 B's' Bergdorf, Barneys, Bloomingdale's and Lord & Taylor...
, Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus, formerly Neiman-Marcus, is a luxury specialty retail department store operated by the Neiman Marcus Group in the United States. The company is headquartered in the One Marcus Square building in Downtown Dallas, Texas, and competes with other department stores such as Saks Fifth...
, The May Department Stores Company, Robinson's, Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor, colloquially known as L&T, or LT, based in New York City, is the oldest upscale, specialty-retail department store chain in the United States. Concentrated in the eastern U.S., the retailer operated independently for nearly a century prior to joining American Dry Goods...
and other major American department stores. Flagg also developed thousands of boutique accounts across the United States.
In 1966, Edith Flagg bought an office building, located at 400 South Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills known as “The Beverly Co.” The building was also known as “The Flagg Building”, because of the large Flagg sign located on top of the building. The family owned the “The Beverly Co.” on the corner of Beverly Drive and Olympic Blvd. until 1996 when they sold it.
Flagg and her husband were active contributors to “California Apparel News” and Women’s Wear Daily. They wrote a weekly column titled “By the Way”. Eric Flagg served as the president of the California Fashion Creators for three terms in 1968, 1969 and again in 1974. In 1971, Edith and Eric Flagg were elected to the Advisory Board of Directors for Manufacturers Bank.
Philanthropy
The Flagg family is also known for their philanthropic work. They have donated millions of dollars and as well as volunteer time to charities, focusing on Jewish charities. Edith and Eric Flagg, along with Carol BurnettCarol Burnett
Carol Creighton Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, dancer and writer. Burnett started her career in New York. After becoming a hit on Broadway, she made her television debut...
were the 1971 recipients of the “Brotherhood Award” by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In March 1981, the Flaggs were honored with the “Morse Award” by the United Jewish Welfare Fund’s Apparel Division. In October 1982, the couple was honored by Magen David Adom (Israel’s Official Red Cross Service). Edith and Eric Flagg were honored in July 1985 by the United Jewish Fund. In 1991, the couple were named to the City of Hope National Medical Center
City of Hope National Medical Center
City of Hope National Medical Center, is a private, not-for-profit clinical research center, hospital and graduate medical school located in Duarte, California, United States...
’s Gallery of Achievement, the “Hall of Fame” for people committed to the City of Hope. Eric Flagg was on the Board of Directors of the City of Hope from 1970-1990. Edith and Eric Flagg, as well as their son and daughter-in-law Cindy, have permanent plaques at the Jewish Federation Building on Wilshire Blvd. Edith and her husband have permanent plaques at the City of Hope National Medical Center
City of Hope National Medical Center
City of Hope National Medical Center, is a private, not-for-profit clinical research center, hospital and graduate medical school located in Duarte, California, United States...
as well.
Edith Flagg and her family have also been involved with Tel-Aviv University, the American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Committee
The American Jewish Committee was "founded in 1906 with the aim of rallying all sections of American Jewry to defend the rights of Jews all over the world...
, The Guardians for the Jewish Home for the Aging and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Originally established as Kaspare Cohn Hospital in 1902, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is a non-profit, tertiary 958-bed hospital and multi-specialty academic health science centre located in Los Angeles, California, US. Part of the Cedars-Sinai Health System, the hospital employs a staff of over...
; her son Michael serves on executive boards of both organizations.
Her daughter-in-law, Cindy, is a United Hostess of Cedars-Sinai. Cindy is also the daughter of philanthropist and community leader Herman Platt
Herman Platt
Herman Platt was an American business executive and philanthropist. He and his wife endowed the Marjorie and Herman Platt Gallery. Platt was also the president of Sinai Temple for two years. Platt was the president of Vista del Mar Charities and was one of the men responsible for creating Mount...
.
Footnotes
- Women’s Wear Daily sec 2 wed jan 6 1971 Edith Flagg—First American Woman to Use Polyester...
- Beverly Hills Courier January 9, 1976-- “Flagg, nationally prominent apparel manufacturer, active in the Dutch Underground--Flagg is the new chair of the Committee on Ideology of the City of Hope’s Board of Directors...
- Edith Flagg: Celebrating 20 years of Success California Apparel News page 9 Friday June 11, 1976
- “Edith Flagg’s Reason-Why: To Design Clothes for the Average Customer’s Budget Virginia Scallon California Apparel News Friday Jan 3 1969 page 26
- “Clotheshorse in the Jet Age” Los Angeles Times Julie Byrne October 14, 1965 Edith Flagg and Crimplene
- “DIALOGUE with Eric and Edith Flagg-- Barbara Freidman, Managing Editor CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS PAGE 17 FRIDAY MARCH 23 1975
- “By the Way” by Edith Flagg Aug 13 1982 vol 38 no 33
- “Flagg-Waiving” Women’s Wear Daily Monday October 23, 1967
- California Apparel News April 3, 1981 p. 22
- United Jewish Fund “Campaign Update” The Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, front page August 8, 1985
- United Jewish Fund Campaign Update; The Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles-, June 1985
- Beverly Hills Courier Jan 9, 1976—Flagg new chair/ City of Hope Board of Directors
- Harry & Sidney Arkin Buying Office April 18, 1968 Edith Flagg: Never Forgets the Customer, First to Introduce Polyester Knits
- Edith Flagg: Celebrating 20 Years of Success California Apparel News p9 Fri. June 11, 1976
- Jewish Federation Council Bulletin March 2, 1981
- Jewish Federation Council Bulletin July 7, 1980
- Jewish Federation Council Bulletin March 2, 1981
- Los Angeles Jewish Community Bulletin Nov 23 1981 vol 23 n0 22
- Los Angeles Jewish Community Bulletin sep 27 1982 vol 24 no 18
- Fahionweek March 27, 1972
- City of Hope Pilot magazine 1972—Flagg elected to board of directors for City of Hope
- Fashionweek p 17 March 27, 1972—Flagg Merchant’s Club president for 3 years,
- California Apparel News, December 20, 1974
- California Apparel News March 20, 1981 p. 16
- Women's Wear Daily Tues Feb 13 1968 p 21
- California Apparel News, “By the Way” May 15, 1981
- Jewish Federation Council/ United Jewish Fund “Update” paper Feb. 27, 1986 -- “Flegenheimer, Fenstra, Flagg: Soldier Without a Uniform”
- California Apparel News Fri Jan 3 1969
- Beverly Hills Courier June 2, 2006 re: Cindy Flagg Cedars-Sinai
- BeverlyHills Courier June 4, 2004 front page re: Cindy Flagg Cedars-Sinai
- Beverly Hills Courier Nov 15 2002 page 9 re: Cindy Flagg Cedars Sinai
- Beverly Hills Courier Nov 19 2004 re: CIndy Flagg Cedars Sinai p18
- Beverly Hills 213 Nov 20 2002 vol 20, number 46 page 21 re Cindy Flagg Cedars Sinai
- Century City News, March 18, 1986
- Display ADS LOS ANGELES Times 1965-1972 Crimplene+Edith Flagg
- Women's Wear Daily display ad “pioneer in polyester” p 51 Wed Oct 11, 1867
- Women's Wear Daily display ad Wed May 22, 1968 p 67
- Women's Wear Daily display ad Oct 18 1968 “Crimplene- a superb ICI fiber knitted for Edith Flagg exclusively by Fine Jersey Ltd., London back cover
Edith Flagg: Celebrating 20 years of Success California Apparel News page 9 Friday June 11, 1976
External links
- http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/487295412.html?dids=487295412:487295412&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+14%2C+1965&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Clotheshorse+in+the+Jet+Age&pqatl=google