Tennis ensemble

Vera Maxwell

ca. 1976 · synthetic · Costume Institute

With a dream of being a dancer, Vera Maxwell arrived in the fashion world through the back door. Working first as a showroom model, she then became interested in the actual construction of the clothes. Not always agreeing with what was being offered, she began to make as well as mix and match her own clothes, which department store buyers from Lord & Taylor and Best Co. began to notice. Maxwell states that her first "real" design job was with Adler & Adler, where she worked from 1936-1937 and afterwards, found contract work to be very advantageous. Her classic, comfortable and timeless designs continued to garner praise and in 1947she opened a business under her own name, Vera Maxwell Originals. Her career outlasted that of her contemporaries, as she did not stop designing until 1985. Maxwell was a sportswoman herself and designed sport clothing all through her career. This piece is possibly from her "Good Sports" line that was introduced in 1976. Not only is the ensemble well matched and perfect for a game of tennis, it is also suitable to wear lunching afterwards at the club. Additionally, the piece has several of Maxwell's design elements: the jersey top, which is leotard-like, making it easy to take on and off; the use of Ultrasuede, which was used abundantly in her seventies collections; and its combination of pieces, making it practical and fashionable.

Artist

Vera Maxwell

Date

ca. 1976

Medium

synthetic

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Vera Maxwell, 1979