Peggy Roth Sequined Rayon Dress

[Better Dresses Vintage]

Hi,

I had to dig really deep to find ANY information on this label. I'm attaching my sole finding -- an Oct. 1948 article from The New York Times. What it tells me is that by 1948, Ms. Roth was well-enough established to be showing her wares at The Plaza. Her 400 Park Avenue shop address also tells me she sold high-end goods. So... when is this dress from? Of course I have my suspicions, but I need confirmation ; ).

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress. Unfortunately, it is far from perfect -- lots of little holes, some poorly mended bigger holes, and plenty of missing sequins. But lots of sequins remain, and the overall look and feel of it is fantastic. I have not been able to find a single other example of Peggy Roth's work. Has anyone out there come across another of her dresses? It is very well made.

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

No idea why these files are so huge. I shrank them down significantly before posting. Sorry!

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

1946?

 

[Linn]

I love a good mystery, too. I subscribe to the NY Times online - and have access to the archives so I can help a little. In 1941, Peggy Roth moved from Madison Avenue to Park Avenue. She carried gowns, millinery and accessories. I also found something about her signing a lease - in 1941 at the Park Avenue property for more space - " for an addition to her gown shop, a store and basement adjoining her corner at 400 Park Avenue". She was the widow of Joseph Roth, who died in 1920. He manufactured shirts and blouses. She went into retail after his death, and had shops on Broadway, later on Madison Avenue and then on Park. She showed at the St. Regis in 1945 - thi gorgeous day into evening suit.

In 1948 she was showing "flared" skirts - (the article you found. ) She retired in 1960 - and had her dress shop for 38 years prior to that. Peggy Peshkin Roth died in 1975, at the age of 80, 15 years afer retiring in White Plains Hospital. There is probably more but this is a good start.

I love the dress, too! I can see 1946 - but it looks sort of early 1940's to me, too. Are there shoulder pads? Is that a bolero jacket that is removable? Where is the zipper?

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I would say 1944 on this one. I love it!

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

OK, wow. That is a lot of interesting information, Linn!
The dress is just a dress. Nothing removable, no jacket. The "MERITA" zipper is on the side and is a bit of a bulky beast of a zip. No shoulder pads, yes snapped bra stays (which are not on the shoulder, but a bit forward, which may indicate that there HAD been shoulder pads at one time, although I see no evidence now).

I lived right near White Plains growing up. That's where Sears was. It had this particularly fun and crazy ramp in the parking deck -- circular, around and around.

Peggy Peshkin Roth was my grandmother's age. My grandmother was a designer of ladies neckwear (lace collars, etc., in the late-Edwardian and teens). I wonder if they ever crossed paths. I would bet good money that they came from the same part of the world. A lot of us in that particular demographic, if you follow, were in the garment business. My mom's cousin was a furrier. I loved going to the garment district and seeing the racks of clothes rolling through the streets. Everybody spoke Yiddish.