The First Lady of Underfashions
Book Feature - The First Lady of Underfashions by Christina Erteszek
HBL Note: “When you saw this book did you immediately think Ashley's totally going to be into this. If so, you were spot on. :)” That was how I responded to the publicist when she first reached out to me about this book. Because as a fashion historian, this book is speaking to me. Christina Erteszek is the daughter of Jan and Olga, the founders of The Olga Company, a lingerie maker, and she grew up knowing “everything possible about ladies’ underwear.” I mean, what an intriguing claim to fame. If you’re interested to know more like I was, scroll down.
Book Feature - The First Lady of Underfashions by Christina Erteszek
Book Feature - The First Lady of Underfashions by Christina Erteszek
From the publisher:
The First Lady of Underfashions is a nonfiction saga-like memoir written by Christina Erteszek and including excerpts from her parents' (Jan and Olga) unpublished memoirs. It is a complex, layered, and nuanced story that bridges the violence of war, the innovation of thought, the singularity of religion, the quest for identity, and the intrigues and intricacies of family life. Jan and Olga escape from World War II Europe and arrive in the US with just a few dollars. They turn their paltry savings into a multi-million-dollar fashion business. Olga becomes a leading patent holder of female lingerie, a trendsetter in the industry, and is widely known for her innovative business tactics. But as this husband-and-wife team think of retiring, they decide to merge with another fashion company, which proves to be a fatal move when a loophole in the agreement allows for a hostile takeover. This is also a story of a daughter's need to find herself. Along her path to self-discovery, she discovers her parents have many secrets, some of which will never be revealed.
Book Feature - The First Lady of Underfashions by Christina Erteszek
