Radical by Design: The Life and Style of Elizabeth Hawes

by Bettina Berch

Chronicles the life of Elizabeth Hawes, who began her career as a magazine correspondent, became a fashion designer, then moved into union organizing and war work, positions that she used as a platform for her social criticisms

Hardcover

First published November 17, 1988

Reviews

[Zefyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my god. Fashion designer, writer, labor organizer, mainly active in the 30s and 40s? Yes, my interest was piqued when I stumbled across this at the library. Oh my god. All I've been doing since I opened the book at home that night has been to ask friends, "Have you heard of Elizabeth Hawes?" I want to buy several copies of this book and start circulating them around. She's one of those people who was radical and often just too far ahead of her time, and wasn't "nice" enough to play the fool about it while they caught on - in fact she was sarcastic and bitter and dared to hold people accountable, which in my experience is a great way to change the world and have most people hate you for some reason they just can't pin down. I think I love her.

[Susan Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

By all means, read this book. Everyone should know about Elizabeth Hawes.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this woman. In fact, I am founding an Elizabeth Hawes fan club, that's how much I like her.
You can become a member if you're amused by the witty titles she gave her dress designs: the Misadventure Dress, to be worn with
the Alimony Cape; Public Enemy Number 1; or Prosperity Is Just Around The Corner. Come ON. One of her sweaters had a phone number knitted into it:
382-5968, or Fuc-kyou. Iconoclastic, visionary, a true artist who moved from design to writing effortlessly, Hawes was a force to be reckoned with.

[Bettina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrote this one also.