Carol Horn, sportswear designer, dies at 86
Fashion designer Carol Horn, whose elongated designs and iconic caftans have spread over the years 60, died Thursday at the age of 86.
The sportswear designer was hospitalized at Calvary Hospital at the time of her death, according to her cousins Suzanne Horn and fashion journalist Sally Fischer in a joint interview.
Born in Brooklyn, Horn was an only child whose father worked in the home goods industry and whose elegant mother raised her to always give the best of herself. She attended several schools, including the Calhoun School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Columbia University, Boston University, and the Fashion Institute of Technology, among others.
Related GalleriesA life in the Upper East Sider, she began designing sportswear for juniors at Bryant 9 before venturing to Benson & Partners and Outlander Sweater Co. She created her own signature line for Malcolm Starr International and later opened her own company, Carol Horn's Habitat, in 1974. The following year Horn won a Coty Award for Designer of the Year – a precursor to similar awards. which are now called the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards. In 1983 she launched Carol Horn Sportswear.
An avid traveler who drew inspiration for her brightly colored designs from her many global escapades, Horn has particularly liked Asia, his cousins said. Instead of designer mentors, Horn relied on travel for inspiration, said Suzanne Horn. Africa was another of his favorite destinations, as were South and Central America, with Guatemala being of great interest. Horn flew to Como and Florence, Italy, often for textiles. She introduced caftans to her collection in the 60s - long before others - and continued them into the 70s recognizing their ease, practicality and comfort.
Jan Strimple poses in Carol Horn's Summer 1985 ready-to-wear collection, photographed in St. Barthelemy, 1985. George Chinsee/WWD"I think she would design them today," Fischer said, winking eye to the longevity of the silhouette.< /p>
Former WWD fashion editor Bobbi Queen recalled on Thursday how particularly popular Horn was in the 60s because of his designs in crinkled gauze from India. The designer was an integral part of Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue in New York, a precursor to multi-boutique specialty shopping, at that time. Saks Fifth Avenue was another key dealer for Horn. According to industry lore, Saks shoppers tried ironing "the designer's stunning crushed look, only to learn the gauze was meant to be wrinkled," Queen said.
Fashion designer Carol Horn, whose elongated designs and iconic caftans have spread over the years 60, died Thursday at the age of 86.
The sportswear designer was hospitalized at Calvary Hospital at the time of her death, according to her cousins Suzanne Horn and fashion journalist Sally Fischer in a joint interview.
Born in Brooklyn, Horn was an only child whose father worked in the home goods industry and whose elegant mother raised her to always give the best of herself. She attended several schools, including the Calhoun School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Columbia University, Boston University, and the Fashion Institute of Technology, among others.
Related GalleriesA life in the Upper East Sider, she began designing sportswear for juniors at Bryant 9 before venturing to Benson & Partners and Outlander Sweater Co. She created her own signature line for Malcolm Starr International and later opened her own company, Carol Horn's Habitat, in 1974. The following year Horn won a Coty Award for Designer of the Year – a precursor to similar awards. which are now called the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards. In 1983 she launched Carol Horn Sportswear.
An avid traveler who drew inspiration for her brightly colored designs from her many global escapades, Horn has particularly liked Asia, his cousins said. Instead of designer mentors, Horn relied on travel for inspiration, said Suzanne Horn. Africa was another of his favorite destinations, as were South and Central America, with Guatemala being of great interest. Horn flew to Como and Florence, Italy, often for textiles. She introduced caftans to her collection in the 60s - long before others - and continued them into the 70s recognizing their ease, practicality and comfort.
Jan Strimple poses in Carol Horn's Summer 1985 ready-to-wear collection, photographed in St. Barthelemy, 1985. George Chinsee/WWD"I think she would design them today," Fischer said, winking eye to the longevity of the silhouette.< /p>
Former WWD fashion editor Bobbi Queen recalled on Thursday how particularly popular Horn was in the 60s because of his designs in crinkled gauze from India. The designer was an integral part of Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue in New York, a precursor to multi-boutique specialty shopping, at that time. Saks Fifth Avenue was another key dealer for Horn. According to industry lore, Saks shoppers tried ironing "the designer's stunning crushed look, only to learn the gauze was meant to be wrinkled," Queen said.
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