6 Comments

I love how I had never heard of Howard Oxenburg before reading this essay and now I hate him with every fibre of my being. For I have also had way too many encounters with his entitled, oblivious, casually malicious kind. Blergh. Here's hoping Helene prospered.

This was fascinating. Thank you.

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I know! He sold the businesses in 1969 and just became general rich party guy and family patriarch. He actually didn’t grow up a rich kid so it seems like the seed of a lot of his money actually came from Helene’s labor and name. It boils the blood.

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1. Your personal aside in this was spot on.

2. This entire story is fascinating.

3. Hell yes, Helene. Make him pay. 💰 💪

Great piece!!

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Thank you! Yeah what a badass right?

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Seems like there should be a movie about her.

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Thank you for this slice of fashion history, I really appreciate your addressing both the company and her personal story. Side note, there was a stack I recently read by Celeste M. Davis called The Men Who Like Women and the Men Who Don't. Yes We Can Tell - it may interest you. The first comment knocked me back.

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