In May 2005, I purchased over 400 pieces of vintage clothing that came from the estate of Jessie Laurent Harper.
From what I have been able to find out about her, Mrs. Harper was a milliner who worked out of her apartment in Harlem.
She designed hats for herself and did special custom designs for her clients and for local fashion shows.
She also modeled in local fashion shows. She was a very sharp dresser, and over the next few months you'll get to
see her clothing which ranges from the late 1930s to the early 1960s, with the bulk of the items being from the 1940-50s.
There will be about 180 dresses, and of course lots of hats, some very wild and unique.
It appears that she lived in the same apartment for many years, probably since the 1950s. She was active either in Church organizations or ladies groups,
because I have several group photos of her with some very stylish ladies in the 1950s. Below are a few of the photos that I have of
Jessie.
Below is the front and the back views of a cardboard advertising fan that Mrs. Harper had made to promote
her millinery business. Click images for front and back views. I have about 10 of these fans that I will be selling.
Here are 2 of the tests shots that were done for the promotional fan. The test sheet was dated March 1954,
and the photos were taken in Jessie's apartment, where her millinery work was done.
