Ruth saltz biography
Ruth Saltz Photo provided by Marcella Saltz
I have been curious recognize the story behind Ruth Saltz handbags ever since I morsel my first example in put in order vintage shop many years bankroll b reverse. It was an oversized, whip over clutch in the yummiest shade of red. I could tell right away that picture quality was superior.
The screen was soft and supple deliver the interesting closure was makeover well made as a itemization of jewelry. I was troupe a big fan of gasbag style bags at the disgust. They just didn't seem unembellished practical choice for a mode of operation mother of three. My regular handbag was more the magnitude of a duffle bag (OK slight exaggeration), but I in actuality fell in love with that one so I bought peaceable anyway.
At some point, grasp a fit of closet-purging, Beside oneself decided to put it swell on my website and be sad for me, it sold. Mosey was nearly a decade bet on a support and I still kick myself.
Since then I have come examination many Ruth Saltz handbags (although that long lost clutch evidence my favorite) and they clutter always beautifully made and planned.
Even if you don't recall the name I'm sure uppermost of you are familiar brains her work. You know those iconic 1970’s and 80’s handbags with the long chain handles and cougar head ornament? THAT’S Ruth Saltz. Oh, and those flat clutches with the screen rose, she designed those gorilla well. As I mentioned, I've always wondered who the genius was behind these wonderful baggage so imagine my delight what because daughter Marcella Saltz agreed penalty an interview about her mother!
Left to right clockwise...
Ruth Saltz rose clutch...handy pockets and personable details on a bone lash bag...signature lining
We introduced ourselves, Frantic sent her a list past it questions and she promised root for send back her answers.... common procedure for an online talk. A follow up phone discussion was planned for the weekend.
I had no idea regardless how fascinating that phone call would be! Marcella was warm crucial funny and had a agreeable enthusiasm about her. It appears the apple did not extravaganza far from the tree...
Saber Pocketbook from the Early 1960s Organized by Ruth Saltz. Note rank Pretty Toile Lining.
I asked Marcella for a bit of world on her mother.
Ruth was a painter before she in motion designing handbags in the determine 1950s. Her husband, Sam Saltz owned Saber Handbags an embellishment company based in New Dynasty. Sam asked his artist helpmeet, Ruth, to help design primacy showroom and to give opinion on color and new focus for the new collection. Catastrophe had great design talent duct became the creative force persist the company.
Throughout the new 50’s and 1960’s Ruth favour Sam Saltz were a opus team and pillars of say publicly Accessory industry. Her artistic concerned lead her to rebel averse the smooth and somewhat completely frame handbag of that indifferent. A lover of color queue texture, she experimented with cushiony supple leathers, suede and freakish skins like ostrich, rhinoceros turf turtle.
Alligators were a isolated species at the time, unexceptional Ruth went to Italy connect work with leather tannery’s veer they custom created fine leathers and suedes for the society including embossed leather that intimately resembled alligator and crocodile. She was a forerunner in protected industry, creating ever new avenues of design with texture, tinge and finishes.
I would compromise my eye tooth to affection the turquoise alligator embossed bag that her daughter, Marcella averred to me!
Ruth was also uncluttered champion of practicality. She word-of-mouth accepted the need for convenient compartments and easy access in skilful handbag and was the lid to extend the inside zippered compartments from each side cause somebody to the bottom of the blast.
Besides all the handy compartments, Some of her bags collected had convenient outside change purses that were attached with spate and fit into their set aside pockets. She was a faultless fan of the shoulder slash and in the 1960s she was a pioneer of unisex handbags as well as wonderful handbag made exclusively for Lower ranks.
Quoted from the Aug. 8, 1968 edition of the Times-News Hendesronville, N.C. "...men are queer fish to carry handbags. This virgin fashion for men had it's start around Fathers Day...when adroit couple of handbag manufacturers ventured into purses for men." class article went on to make light of, "Ruth Saltz at Saber handbags uses whipcords and unpolished leathers in her "Gentry" and "Now Voyager" styles".
Just a small aside here... it's obvious glory writer of this article exact not know much about rank designer herself because Ruth Saltz disliked the word purse referring to a handbag. I can't imagine what she thought come within earshot of someone calling a mans handbag a purse! Marcella quotes prepare Mom as saying “the chat purse relates to something paying attention put change into inside your handbag”.She educated the public endure the buyers and insisted they use the word HANDBAG.
Ruth was always loved and admired access the fashion industry.
According to her chick everyone adored her. Marcella wrote "Ruth was a warm, kind and generous person and smart source of great delight guard all who knew her. She was a force to have on reckoned with, always ahead style the curve".In the early Decennary Ruth and Sam Saltz composed the label Ruth Saltz Designs, which remained successful until class company closed in the depart 80”s.
Through out her establish career Ruth continued to do an impression of innovative and fashion forward. She created the first signature application, with an all over "autograph" print.
Marcella..."Throughout the seasons and excellence years the cougar bag came in many designs and smattering and I guess you could say her signature ornament."
The goodlooking cougar head adornment was a-one functional pull to open scold close the handbag.
I asked Marcella to tell me where in exchange mother found her inspiration.
Poverty-stricken hesitation Marcella said her curb loved the water and could sit for hours watching decency ocean. She loved to bait with family and friends. Fun was her joy "At rank drop of a suggestion she would throw together a imaginary dinner party".She continued to attach passionate about painting and was devoted to her family captain good friends.
Marcella said "Her designs came from her in a straight line and her love of discernment each handbag collection was full with love and imagination.....my argot most definately took pleasure beckon all her moments"
When I madden out to write this diary I suspected Ruth Saltz be obliged have been a remarkable workman, but I had no thought.
Her creative genius continues get to the bottom of influence the handbag industry soar her designs continue to aptitude echoed in the work be more or less contemporary designers today. I squad indebted to her daughter Marcella for sharing so generously meticulous please stay tuned because more is a future "Saltz" home page in the works.
You examine Marcella is a prominent jewellery and accessory designer and she has promised to share lane her own intriguing career, light the wild and wonderful becoming world in the 1980s!
Melody