Jane Derby (born Jeanette Fleming Barr; May 17, 1895 – August 7, 1965)[1] was an American fashion designer.[2][3][4]
Biography
Jeanette Fleming Barr was born in Rocky Mount, Virginia in 1895. She first worked as an apprentice designer before opening her own business in 1936 in New York.[3] She later opened Jane Derby, Inc., in 1938, which she ran continuously until her death in 1965 (with the exception of during World War II).[3] She was one of the first fashion designers to show the short dinner dress.[5] In 1951 she received the Winnie award of the Coty American Fashion Critics' Awards.[5]
She was married to Arthur Lawrence Derby from 1915 until his death in 1961, and in December 1964 remarried to Ross Cuthbert (1892-1970), a former Olympic ice hockey player and retired lieutenant colonel of the British Army.[6] Derby had children, including a son, Arthur (1916-1944), who was killed in action in World War II.[5]
Derby died in Bermuda in August 1965, aged 70.[7] Oscar de la Renta then took control of her company, having worked there before her death.[8][9][10]