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FAQs-
about Hattie Carnegie and /or Hattie-Carnegie.com
I have received some very interesting questions regarding Hattie Carnegie in the past year.
I thought I would take the time to try to answer some of the most interesting ones.
Question: When did Hattie launch her costume jewelry line?
Answer: Hattie began her costume jewelry line to complement her fashion lines and hats. She thought that a beautiful piece of jewelry made a special outfit even more special. Although she supposedly began manufacturing jewelry in 1919. Many sources state that her first official costume jewelry collection was not launched until 1939.
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Question: Who took over Hattie's company after her passing in 1956?
Answer: Larry Joseph who once employed by Hattie Carnegie. In 1956, he had his own jewelry company. Because she never had any children, Hattie Carnegie hadn't any direct descendents to pass her company down. Hattie had requested that she would like the company to be passed onto to a family member, trainee or a close friend. Her nieces and nephews had different goals and families of their own. None of them really wanted the responsibility of continuing their aunts company Hattie's husband did his best to try and keep the company going strong as a legacy to her, but he was getting older and wasn’t really in the best of health himself, he missed her and was lonely and felt the company held too many reminders that she wasn't there, when Joseph came forward requesting ownership of the company. John remembered that his wife’s wish was that was someone who was important to her, and who held similar ambitions would be given a chance to continue the company, he sold the rights of the company to Joseph who strived to keep Hattie's name known in the world of jewelry. Up until 1976, the company had many designers selling jewelry under Hattie's name in care of so and so, but Joseph was the first to do so after Hattie's passing.
Her fashion line was a different story altogether. I do not know the reason why but Hattie stated in her will that her clothing line was to discontinue after her passing. I heard that they attempted to bring vintage clothing lines back in the late 1980's and Hattie Carnegie's was one the vintage lines that the fashion world wanted to continue because she her line was so popular in vintage circles, but because of a clause in Hattie Carnegie's will this was impossible.
I really do not understand why Hattie had this clause for her fashion/clothing line but not her jewelry. There are many theories but I do not think we will ever know the entire story.
Question: Did Hattie ever promote products from other companies?
Answer: Yes, she did. Hattie Carnegie was the representative for Dodge Cars and Trucks throughout the 1920's and 1930's. She appeared in almost all their advertisements during that time.
She also had a contract or deal with Johnson & Johnson. She would promote Johnson & Johnson products if they would promote her perfume line. I have seen Hattie Carnegie's various perfume samples on eBay attached to a Johnson & Johnson label.
Up until she officially launched her own jewelry line. She promoted jewelry from other companies to complement the clothing and hats that she sold throughout her company.
Hattie Carnegie was always appreciative. Macy's Department Store always remained close to her heart, because she felt that the department store helped launch her career.
The young people who were once employees of her company were always a source of pride to her. She was very proud when they became successful in their own right and would often promote their businesses or products.
Question: Did Hattie ever sell clothing or products for men?
Answer: Hattie Carnegie published a yearly holiday catalog, which included gifts for men, but she never officially sold clothing or products for men, other than this yearly publication, she never advertised products for men.
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Question: Why didn't Hattie ever have any children of her own?
Answer: I am asked this question often and I don’t really know the true answer, but this is my theory.
Hattie was very young when she came to country and was very confused by the cultural differences and customs of the United States to that of her native Austria.
Hattie's parents began the process of selecting a future husband for their daughter right before or shortly after, they immigrated to the United States. (As most arrangements were sealed or the selection of a spouse was begun when the daughter was in her early teens.) This practice was done to ensure continuation of a culture, religion or belief for future generations.
Because she worked at in a world famous department store, she was introduced to many different cultures and lifestyles outside her own.
She wanted to date like her co-workers and begged her parents for permission, her parents were reluctant to allow her to date, but thought it would help her adjust to new life and culture.
Hattie met and fell deeply in love with an American named John Zanft, but the two had a difficult courtship because Hattie’s culture was a road block, the couple didn’t want to be apart so they begun to sneak around, although according to her cultural norms Hattie was engaged.
The couple must have exercised caution during their courtship or they took risky chances because of the unreliable birth control methods at the turn of the century, so if you think about it, It was amazing they didn't have a child, but the couple was young Hattie had career goals that were very important to her and an arranged marriage hanging over her head and the guilt was getting to her, so she and John eventually broke up.
She married Ferdinand Fleischman, Although she didn’t love him romantically Hattie stated that they had a “normal” marriage, and she grew to care deeply for him, so my theory was that either Hattie couldn’t physically have children or she made the personal choice not to have children because she was busy with her career.
Her second marriage (after Ferdinand Fleischman) was very brief, Hattie was very bitter towards this man. She did not even consider him a husband.This marriage is a controversial mystery.
When Hattie and John rekindled their relationship it was more successful the second time around, but the couple were in their early 40’s, by that time. It is not uncommon today for couples to have children into their mid 40’s, but this was a different era, and they probably felt they were too old to start a family, to busy with their careers or simply could not have children.
Question: At the Beginning of her modeling career what celebrities was Lucy most often chosen by Hattie as the mannequin to model clothing for?
Answer: Joan and Constance Bennett. Hattie thought the Lucy resembled the Bennett Sisters. This was around the time that Miss Lucille began to dye her light brunette hair a platinum blonde(Very early in her movie career she was also a stand in for both of the Bennett sisters.)
Question: Did Hattie and Lucy stay in contact?
Answer: Lucille Ball and Hattie Carnegie always spoke highly of each other and in a few early interviews Lucy mentioned going into Hattie’s shop. I would assume that she visited her while in New York.
Hattie gave Lucy her blessing for her to travel to Hollywood, and Lucy was always appreciative of Hattie’s assistance and guidance in her early career.
Hattie was once quoted as saying that Lucille was her pride and joy.
Question: Did Hattie ever watch I Love Lucy?
Answer: Hattie Carnegie was born in 1886. She was in her sixties by the time television gained popularity. She rejected television because like many members of her generation who preferred the theater or the movies. Hattie considered television a fad. Considering she never owned a television. I would have to say no to this question.
Question: Was Hattie related to Andrew Carnegie?
Answer: No, Her birth name was Henrietta Kanengeiser. She changed her name legally to Carnegie out of respect to Andrew Carnegie. Because she respected him, knew he was also an immigrant and wanted to emulate the success Andrew had in the country of his adoption.
Question: Was Hattie married to Andrew Carnegie?
Answer: No, Hattie was never married to Andrew Carnegie. He was old enough to have been her grandfather
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Question: What fashion related awards did Hattie receive in her lifetime?
Answer: Hattie received the nation’s highest civilian honor in 1952. The Congressional Medal of Freedom for redesigning the Women’s Army Corps Uniform. (WAC) Her award was presented at a special dinner that was given in her honor on June 1 1952
Hattie also was the recipient of the C.O.T.Y. Fashion Award for Excellence in the World of Fashion.
This award was presented to her on the evening of November 4 1948
The Neiman-Marcus Award in 1945
The Red Leather Award
Life Magazines Fashion Editor of the Year four consecutive years from 1942-1945
Question: Didn’t Hattie author a column offering fashion and beauty advice to her readers?
Answer: Throughout her career, Hattie received several awards and interviews in several well known fashion magazines.
Hattie Carnegie had her own fashion advice columns. Her columns were published in Vogue and
Harpers Bazaar.
Her Vogue column was published in the 1920’s and early 1930’s her column was titled
“Vogue Points from Hattie Carnegie”
Question: Did Hattie drive?
Answer: Automobiles were invented when Hattie was a teenager. She lived in the city, but still wanted an automobile and once she achieved success, she had one.
Major John Zanft and Hattie loved to drive their car on trips to the country. Yes, she had her driver’s license and owned a car. Some of Hattie's employees asked to borrow the car so they could venture outside the city.
Hattie always gave in and reluctantly handed over the keys.
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Question: What were Hattie’s different marks, logos and labels?
Answer: HC was her earliest logo. HC stood for Hattie Carnegie.
She had a different clothing label for each store
She had a special label for hats- HATENGIE
She also had several signatures on her jewelry. After 1945-, her name became a trademark.
The logo on her hatboxes was of a little poodle. She used her black toy poodle has her official logo.
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Question: What year did Hattie Carnegie go wholesale and what company was the first to purchase rights to her collection.
Answer: The year was 1925 and the company was I. Magnin.
Hattie wanted her name to also appear on the label next to the I. Magnin.
Hattie was the first to make that request. Other designers would soon follow her lead
Question: Is it true that Hattie could neither sew, cut nor sketch?-
Answer: Yes
Question: How could that be? Wasn’t Hattie Carnegie a fashion designer?
Answer: I was very surprised to learn this information myself.
Hattie would actually joke that she could not sew a straight seam and that she could not carry out the technical side of fashion design business. I guess she thought it was comical that everyone assumed she was a designer. It was no secret that she was not a designer.
Hattie Carnegie was a fashion editor. She knew how to teach designers how to carry out her ideas for her. She edited every design and idea that was submitted to her.
Even though she could not complete the technical side, of the work, she knew fashion and she knew what had to be done and how to instruct others to make the most of their talents.
She was also a teacher and trained two generations of young people that she thought showed promise, talent and determination. Education was important she required that her trainees attend seminars because she saw the value of those classes.
She was very selective of those who trained and worked with her. She held the highest of standards for her employees because of this she could be extremely difficult to work for She did not tolerate laziness or excuses
Question: Are there any other websites dedicated to Hattie Carnegie?
Answer: At the present time, There aren’t any other sites totally dedicated to Hattie Carnegie
Question: Are you any relation to Hattie Carnegie?
Answer: No, I am just a collector and I really respect Hattie Carnegie and want to keep her legacy. I haven’t any connection to neither the Carnegie nor the Zanft families.
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Question: How long have you been a collector of Hattie Carnegie?
I have been a collector since June 2001. My first ever Hattie Carnegie collectible was a pearl and rhinestone sword brooch. I also collect clothing, advertisements and articles that pertain to Hattie Carnegie.
Question: Haven’t you mentioned that you are a Lucille Ball fan.
Answer : I am (a fan and a collector)
Question; Why did you decide to create a tribute site in honor of Hattie Carnegie?
Why not Lucille Ball?
Answer: Lucille Ball has millions of tribute sites. They are all wonderful. They all have something different to offer, I do not want to take anything away from Lucille Ball. She achieved so much and all her honors are well deserved but they are also well documented. Everyone knows about her achievements and her successes. There is so much information out there about Lucille Ball for a fan to locate about her life and career. Hattie Carnegie is still well known within the fashion and jewelry world, but the public knows nothing about this wonderful woman, her contributions and her innovations in the world of fashion. There is even less information available about her fascinating life that is a virtual mystery to even the most dedicated collector. This only informational site available covers every aspect of Hattie’s Career, Life, Culture, Interests, and her status and contributions as a businesswoman. I am proud to keep her memory alive for others to learn about, appreciate who she was, and celebrate her legacy.
Question: If Hattie Carnegie practiced Reform Judaism, Why do you have only kosher recipes on your site?
Answer: Because I do not know if Hattie Carnegie believed in eating non-kosher food. Out of respect for her memory and and the beliefs of all Jewish people who visit this website I have decided to have all the recipes follow kosher laws including the Austrian recipes
Question: Are you Jewish?
Answer: I am not Jewish, but Hattie Carnegie was. Her religion was an important part of who she was and it shaped who she became, so I felt it was important to educate myself about her culture and the struggles and achievements of Jewish people around the world. I have come to love and appreciate the Jewish religion and culture.
Question: Do you speak German?
Answer: No
Question: Are you of Austrian descent?
Answer: No, I am of French, Swedish and Dutch descent
Question: Have you ever visited Austria?
Answer: No, but I win the lottery I will.
Question: Are you an appraiser? Could you tell me the value of my collection?
Answer: Sadly No. I wish that I could help you. I also wish I knew the value of my personal collection.
Question: Where can I locate Hattie Carnegie jewelry, clothing, hats or perfumes?
Answer: I have links to many wonderful shops and stores on this website where you can purchase
Hattie Carnegie collectibles. Please feel free to browse the shops linked to this site.
Another option available to you is eBay, simply type Hattie Carnegie in the search engine,
Question: Do you have your own store or online shop?
Answer: No, I don’t
Question: Are there any books available about Hattie Carnegie?
Answer: Hattie Carnegie Jewelry will be released to publication on January 6, 2005 The first book ever published about Hattie Carnegie
Question: Any plans to ever write a book about Hattie Carnegie?
Answer: I thought that this site was my book? I am just kidding.
It is very time consuming to write a book and the way I look at it. A book would take twenty years for me to write, no future plans. My husband already feels neglected because of my devotion to this site, but understands how important it is to me and is very supportive. If I have to watch sports and listen to sports radio, he has to put up with my website. I think that is a fair trade!
My husband is relieved to know that my answer to the above question is no.
Question: May I link trade with you?
Answer: Most definitely and absolutely.
Question: Does my site have to be related to Hattie Carnegie, fashion or jewelry to link trade?
Answer: No, it does not, but only family friendly sites are welcome.
Sites that are related to fashion, jewelry or anything remotely linked to Hattie Carnegie are always welcome to link trade
Question: Where are you located?
Answer: New Hampshire in the United States of America
Question: Will you be updating this section?
Answer: Yes
Question: May I contact you if I have a question, comment about your site, or if I just want to say Hello?
Answer: Yes, I would love to hear from you
Question: Would you please divide the jewelry and fashion pages into different sections, so the shops are easier to locate and the pages would be easier to scan?
Answer: My husband and I currently have a new computer on layaway. It is offically ours in the middle of June.
I can't wait!
When the system is offically ours I am planning to divide the jewelry and fashion sections into at least four separate pages so it will be easier for the visitors to scan. Thank you for your patience!
Question: Because I am frequently asked about Hattie Carnegie's Giveaways and Promotional Items. I decided that this should be my next topic of discussion.
Hattie Carnegie had many promotional items that she gave to valuable customers. Hattie’s giveaways are still popular today within the collectibles market because many are rare and equally beautiful.........
Jeweled Pen
Jeweled Pens were most often made of brass with turquoise beads and ruby moonstones accented with little rhinestones.
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Pen and Pencil Sets
These sets were gold plated with a classy design
The pens and pencils were placed in a black holder and wrapped in a box which read
Rite-Pretty from Hattie Carnegie
Telephone Dialer
Telephone dialers were in vogue decades before the push button telephones of today when rotary style telephones were installed in every home. To ensure that the dialer would not be misplaced, Hattie added a chain hook to the dialer part of the phone, and the dialer resembled a pen. This would be used to dial the telephone.
Mini Flashlight
These flashlights were brass around the top of the flash light was a circle of blue glass stones
Hattie’s signature appeared directly under the stones
Picture Frames
The picture frames opened up like a compact. These frames were decorated on the top often to resemble a coin. They were gold plated, and the frames inside held two small photographs.
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Mini Bowls
This one is hard to explain, so I am going to utilize the descriptive text. The mini shell was three inches high. The bowl had two identical abalone shells. One shell was the base and the other was the bowl. The shells were rimmed with gold plating. There were gold plated angels sitting on the rim of each bowl with one hand in a waterfall which was created with blue glass stones. This could possibly have been used as a ring holder.
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Soaps
Three soaps were placed in a decorative box with Hattie Carnegie (in script) carved into each soap. They were scented like her various perfumes
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Mini Perfumes Set
Several famous perfumes were placed in mini bottles in sets of seven. The scents found in the sets most often were Hattie Carnegie Blue
Hattie Carnegie Pink, , Hattie Carnegie White, Hattie Carnegie Beige, A'Gogo and the most famous of all Four Winds
Single Perfume Giveaway
Consisted on a single mini perfume in a choice of scents. Hattie Carnegie’s claim to fame long before her world famous shop were her incredible millinery skills and the beautiful hats which she was taught to create in her early days as a Macy’s Department Store trainee. Hattie capitalized on this skill and advertised her trademark hats at the same time because each mini perfume bottle was placed and delicately wrapped in an adorable mini hat box, complete with a gold rope handle, Hattie’s signature and logo were printed in black lettering on the top of the hat box which was identical to the larger hat boxes that Hattie’s employees packaged the hats into that her customers purchased.
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Playing Cards
Two decks of cards were in a leather box with cedar wood lining. Hattie Carnegie is written in script on the inside cover of the box. Hattie most likely gave these cards to her closest friends because they had a card tournament every Thursday night at her home for years.
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Reading Glasses
These were fold up, black lucite reading. They were placed in a small blue pull string satin carrying case. On the front of the case was written “An Original Hattie Carnegie Gift” The glasses had a fancy etched design with several little rhinestones. These glasses fold in three places. The handle of the glasses has a tiny hole so they could be worn on a chain.
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Powder Puff in a Mini Hat Box
Identical to the mini perfume hat box. Available in a variety of famous perfume scents.
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Small metal boxes
Usually classy and beautifully decorated used to hold small items such as pills, coins, or even candy
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Button Covers
Popular in fashion’s early years when everything was worn with a flair of elegance. Button covers were created in a variety of styles to match whatever outfit a lady was wearing on a particular day
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Chocolates
Very unusual promotional item, but Hattie had a recipe from Paris that a friend had given her which she decided to put to good use so Hattie Carnegie had her own line of chocolates
These next items were personal gifts of gratitude that were only given to the employees or close friends of Hattie herself
Rings
Hattie made very few rings, so they were very special. The rings she most often gave to employees were huge, classy and beautiful. They were dinner rings. The pave diamonds looked very real. Very rare and valuable to the Hattie Carnegie collector of today.
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Dresses with Matching Hats
Lucille Ball and many of Hattie’s former employees were given a going away gift of a dress and a matching hat. Hattie’s gift to Lucille was a beautiful black dress
In the early years of her career Lucille lacked the beautiful clothes to wear to her various auditions. She often wore the black dress that Hattie had given her to her earliest Hollywood auditions
Reference: Hattie Carnegie Jewelry……Her Life and Legacy by Georgiana McCall
Pages 148-154
Endangered Species Law? (Anybody know about this?)
Hi there,
My name is Adriana. I am 56 years old and have been living in
Minnesota since 1969.
I am so happy I found your web site!
When my Mom and Dad moved to Palm Beach, Florida in 1968 she gave me her
Hattie Carnegie jaguar coat.
Being young, I was afraid to wear it and kept it in a closet for years.
She purchased it in the 1960's when we lived in New York.
She also worked with her dress designer firm there for years.
The coat has only been worn a few times and is in excellent condition.
It comes to the knee,has 2 pockets in front,and 3/4 lenght sleeves.
Even though it is freezing cold here a great deal of the time I am reluctant to wear it and wanted to sell it.
Any ideas?
When I looked up info on the internet it seems that due to an
endangered species act from 1970 it is now illegal to sell anything like
that over state lines.
In any case, I was thrilled to find your website!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Adriana
Question:
Hello Amy,
I was referred to your website by a friend, Richard Ressig, who has a number of nightgowns which were designed by Hattie Carnegie.
My grandmother, Ada Vandergaw Munson, who lived in Brooklyn, New York, had many dresses and gowns designed by Hattie Carnegie when
she and Rosie first began working, and was a devoted buyer for many years.
I have owned a number of (her) dresses, suits, and hats over the years--as part of my personal collection.
The question I have for you is this:
I often hear her last name pronounced several different ways.
I believe that Andrew Carnegie accented the "e" as a long "a" sound, but many New Yorkers seem to pronounce Hattie's last name without the long "a." How did she pronounce it? Which way is correct?
You are doing such a great service to all of us with your wonderful website. Thank you so much.
All my best,
Desire
Answer:
Hello Desire,
I do apoligize for taking so long to reply. I'm not entirely certain how Hattie personally pronounced Carnegie because I have never heard a recording of her voice.
However she was a cute little Austrian so she probably hung on to her accent over the years, but because she took Andrew's name in tribute to him. I would have to assume that she pronounced her adopted name just as Andrew had?
That's so interesting about your grandmother, Ada Vandergaw Munson and that she knew Hattie and Rosie so well in their early careers.
I would love to hear more about Hattie and Rosie? Rosie in particular.
I understand that Rosie worked for the Jacksons for a while after she sold her share of the business to Hattie, but what happened to her after that?
Also did you grandmother ever speak of a young model named Lucille? aka Lucille Ball?
Thank you for writing. I will look forward to hearing from you too.
Best Wishes,
Amy
Exploring Various Careers in the Fashion and/or Jewelry Industries
Careers in the Fashion Industry
Because this site is often used for student research to my great delight I am very honored. I wanted to explore some of the current careers that are available to those pursuing a career in the fashion and/or jewelry industry. I would like to begin with a career synopsis of a fashion editor because that was Hattie Carnegie's proper career title
Fashion Editor
A fashion editor is a supervisor,they really do not have to be a designer, However many are.
The main job of a fashion editor is to assist and guide the designer, in the creative process and to assist and offer options and guidance to the designer. Editors often are called upon to make the final decision regarding the look of a garment. To a fashion editor… Presentation is Key. They might be asked to offer suggestions on design improvements to a dress or suit for look or practicality
A fashion editor must have a drive to succeed and help a company to succeed. It is helpful to be up to date on the latest trends in the fashion world, but also to understand the history of fashion and the many changes that the industry has undergone, even in the past forty to fifty years.
Fashion is a fast paced business, and fashion editors usually if not always have major deadlines to meet, so it helps to be able to work under pressure and to have exceptional organizational skills.
Most colleges and fashion sites such as http://www.fashion.net recommend gaining experience thru an internship. The internship is usually an important step in getting your foot in the door, but often at entry level it can appear as if your foot is being slammed in the door, but always keep in mind that everyone in the industry started off somewhere, and any experience that you can get will look wonderful on a resume when you go on to apply for future positions
Hattie Carnegie actually got her first glimpse of what was to become her future career from watching her father operate a NEW appliance called a sewing machine from her cradle as an infant. When she was a little girl she was not allowed to touch the sewing machine because if it were ever broken there would be no bread on the table. Her father was a tailor who wanted his own business, and Hattie would follow in his footsteps, but she had a long and difficult road.
Her first job was unskilled labor in the mills and garment factories in New York City, Mill work was tedious, boring with very long hours and very few benefits. It could also be extremely dangerous. Mill work along with other dangerous occupations, led to the creation of unions and the first child labor laws.
You can, Cheer up, because it’s not that bad anymore.
Her next job was at Macy’s Department Store. Macy’s was in every sense, her vocational school and true introduction to the industry, and Isador Strauss, then the owner of the department store was her employer/ instructor he was tough on her and her introduction was not the least bit glamorous, Although, if she were here Hattie would most likely tell you that this job was an improvement from her position in the mills.
Hattie Carnegie was a salesgirl, model then milliner. All these jobs were each an important educational experience on it’s own and together The skills she was taught in those earliest years, would assist her in pursing her ultimate dream of owning her own business. If we can take anything out of Hattie’s early years is to learn all you can about the industry, and even if a job is tedious and boring it can ultimately lead to greater opportunities. |