Papers of Mildred Levine Albert, 1910-1991
Overview
Biographical material, correspondence, fashion show programs, photographs, etc., of Mildred Levine Albert, international fashion consultant and educator.
Dates
- Creation: 1910-1991
Creator
- Albert, Mildred Levine, 1905-1991 (Person)
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
TERMS OF USE
Access. Unrestricted, but researchers must inform the executor or his representative about their research. An appointment is necessary to use any audiovisual material.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright. As long as copyright is in effect (i.e., until August 2041), use of quotations of 250 words or more in any one publication requires the prior written permission of the executor, his representative, or a person named as successor to the executor and his representative upon the death of both these persons; the executor will inform the library in writing of the name and address of the successor. Quotations of fewer than 250 words may be made with the permission of the director of the Schlesinger Library.
Copying. Unrestricted.
Extent
1.67 linear feet ((4 file boxes) plus 5 folio folders, 6 folio+ folders, 1 supersize folder, 25 photograph folders, 8 videocassettes, 1 phonograph record, 1 audiocassette, 1 reel of microfilm)These papers yield very little information about Albert's parents and siblings, or her childhood, adolescence, and college years. There is, however, material about Mildred Levine Albert and James Albert, their children and grandchildren. The bulk of the papers documents Albert's professional life in the international world of fashion, her radio and television programs, the fashion shows she produced, and her involvement in the social life of Boston.
The arrangement described below follows the order of the papers when they were received as far as possible.
Series I, Personal and biographical (#1-36), includes biographical information, diploma and tributes, correspondence (family and other), programs, Albert's travel writings, documents re: Albert's death, and photographs.
Series II, Academie Moderne/Hart Model Agency (#37-53), is divided into two sections. The first, Academie Moderne, includes catalogs, brochures, programs, newsletters, commencement programs and photographs, and yearbooks; the arrangement is chronological, according to the first item in each category, and within each category. The second section, Hart Model Agency, includes correspondence and photographs re: the Heart Fund Ball (1957), brochures and photographs. See also Series III, IV, and V for both Academie Moderne and Hart Model Agency.
Series III, Fashion shows (#54-134), is divided into three sections. One, programs and related material is subdivided into: programs arranged alphabetically by name of sponsoring organization; programs arranged chronologically; and programs of shows produced by others. The latter includes related correspondence, press releases, etc., arranged chronologically.
Two, scripts is subdivided into three chronological sections: stage, radio, and television shows. Three, background material is subdivided into three sections: biographies of designers and fashion personalities, arranged alphabetically; press releases, clippings, notes, and publications arranged chronologically; and publicity photographs of designers, etc., arranged alphabetically, followed by miscellaneous photos arranged chronologically.
Series IV, Clippings (135-148), is divided into three sections, each arranged chronologically: Albert and family, Academie Moderne/Hart Model Agency, and Albert's newspaper and magazine columns.
Most clippings in folders #135-148 were discarded after microfilming. Request M-137. A few were retained and added to #1, 2f+.
Series V., Audiovisual material (149vt-158at), consists of videocassettes by or about Albert: programs of the "Good Day Show" (ABC/WCVB), on fashion and on Albert's 82nd birthday and the 50th anniversary of the Academie Moderne; and two interviews with Albert. There is also an audiocassette of Albert's instructions to an Academie Moderne posture class.
BIOGRAPHY
Mildred Albert, international fashion consultant, educator, lecturer, columnist, producer of fashion shows, and radio/TV-personality, was born on January 14, 1905, in Russia, the youngest of four children of Elizabeth and Thomas Levine. Her parents immigrated to the United States when Albert was three months old and she grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
After what she described as a happy childhood and adolescence, Albert attended the Sargent School of Physical Education and graduated in 1926. The following chronology reflects her very active life, mainly in Boston:
- 1926: Taught gym classes at Somerville (Mass.) High School
- 1928: Married James Albert, Boston lawyer; worked at Florence Street settlement house in the South End of Boston
- 1930: Daughter, Justine Iris (Joy), born
- 1931: Daughter, Jeanne Marion, born
- 1933: Son, Robert Alan, born early
- 1930s: Taught posture at Massachusetts General Hospital
- 1936: Founded Academie Moderne (finishing/modeling school)
- Late 1930s: Had a weekly WEEI radio program, "Youthful Loveliness"
- 1944: Co-founded Hart Model Agency and Promotions, Inc., fashion consultants
- 1940s: Coordinated fashion shows for Boston Herald-Traveler, H.P. Hood Co., et al.
- 1954: Wrote and coordinated fashion show and tea for National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis: co-ordinated and was commentator for 100th Anniversary of Cotton Manufacturers' fashion show (New York)
- 1957: Covered visit of Queen Elizabeth II to United States for radio and press
- 1950s: On CBS New England lecture circuit, topic "Gracious Living"; WBZ radio program; started appearing on TV fashion programs
- 1960-1970s: WCRB radio program, "Fashion As I See It"
- 1961: Appointed fashion director and commentator for Norman Knight [radio] Stations
- 1964: Received Millinery Institute of America's "Best Hatted Woman of America" award
- 1964-1965: Wrote, produced, and was commentator for daily fashion shows at New England Pavilion at New York World's Fair
- 1968: Covered first White House fashion show for radio and press
- 1970: Coordinated Italian Knitwear Fashion Show
- 1975: Received March of Dimes "Fashion Show; Consultant of the Year" award; received award for dedication to the arts; from Public Action for the Arts
- 1978: Celebrated 50th wedding anniversary
- 1970s: Coordinated Miss Massachusetts pageants
- 1980: Academie Moderne started courses for men
- 1981: Received Sargent College Alumni Association Spirit Award
- 1980s: Presented fashion shows on CBS "Good Day Show"
- 1981-1991: Society columnist for Tab newspaper
- 1983: Received State of Israel Bonds 35th Anniversary Award
- 1984: Started Ritz Hotel Saturday lunch fashion shows
- 1990: "The Grande Dame Salutes a Grand Dame," Copley Plaza Hotel honors Albert
The above chronology lists only a few of the thousands of fashion shows Albert produced. She also continued to serve as dean of the Academie Moderne, and co-director of the Hart Model Agency and Promotions, Inc.; spoke to women's clubs and organizations; made monthly trips to New York City to visit fashion houses and attend showings; traveled to Europe twice a year to interview leading designers and report back on trends from the fashion capitals of the world, and in later years to visit her daughter Joy and son Robert, who had settled in London, and their families; and in her mid eighties was still coordinating several fashion shows a week in Boston.
Albert was an overseer of the Wang Center for the Performing Arts, a director of the Boston Fashion Group, and a cofounder of the Boston Arts Festival; served on the Heart Fund and numerous other committees; and was a member of many organizations, including the Advertising Club, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Boston Ballet, American Women in Radio and Television, the Boston Chamber of Commerce, and the Back Bay Association. Her husband called her "the Mighty Atom."
Mildred Levine Albert died in Boston on August 26, 1991.
ARRANGEMENT
The collection is arranged in five series:
- Series I. Personal and biographical
- Series II. Academie Moderne/Hart Model Agency
- Series III. Fashion shows
- Series IV. Clippings
- Series V. Audiovisual material
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession number: 92-M169
The papers of Mildred Levine Albert were given to the Schlesinger Library in September 1992 by her husband, James Albert, and their three children.
Related Material:
There is related material at the Schlesinger Library; see Mildred Levine Albert Videotapes, 1985-1991 (Vt-71).
CONTAINER LIST
- Box 1: 1-48v
- Box 2: 49-78
- Box 3: 79-103
- Box 4: 104-125
Processing Information
Processed: September 1993
By: Bert Hartry
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Businesswomen--Massachusetts--Boston
- Exercise for women
- Fashion--Massachusetts--Boston
- Grandparent and child
- Jewish families
- Journalists
- Modeling agencies
- Models (persons)--Massachusetts--Boston
- Older people--Employment
- Radio programs
- Voyages and travels
- Women's television programs
- Women--Socialization
- Women-owned business enterprises--Massachusetts--Boston
Creator
- Albert, Mildred Levine, 1905-1991 (Person)
- Title
- Albert, Mildred Levine, 1905-1991. Papers of Mildred Levine Albert, 1910-1991: A Finding Aid
- Author
- Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America
- Language of description
- eng
- Sponsor
- Processing of this collection was made possible by a gift from the Albert family.
- EAD ID
- sch00420
Repository Details
Part of the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute Repository
The preeminent research library on the history of women in the United States, the Schlesinger Library documents women's lives from the past and present for the future. In addition to its traditional strengths in the history of feminisms, women’s health, and women’s activism, the Schlesinger collections document the intersectional workings of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class in American history.