Typed letter from John Rechy thanking McWiliams for printing his article on El Paso in "The Nation," nominating him for a fellowship of the Bread Loaf Writers and informing McWilliams he is in Los Angeles through April.
The text is in black ink, but like other magical books, the beginning of each prayer and some magical names ('asmat') are in red ink. The magical images are drawn with black and red inks.
Text: "Phase I: A workshop and a sales port for the development of creative ideas. Models will be made here & manufacturing may or may not be on the premises. A showroom more like a gallery. An envirement [i.e. environment] employing multi-media techniques. To start, a small staff - of girls who look right in the clothes. Start with Summer Somewhere. Phase II: Development of other diversified design groups each under an appropriate label. A module plan. Some manufacturing to be done in far lands as well as here. Phase III: A membership club to service at retail B.C. people & employing new concepts of service. All B.C. products for sale here. Call it IN TOTO. Design this as a prototype for a franchise plan to distribute B.C. ideas internationally. Phase IV: A TV program called "Cashin on Fashion" - an educational entertainment. Phase V: An educational project. Bonnie Cashin's "Fund for Creative Activists" (or something). A pet dream to help dilute the galloping mediocrity in our envirement [i.e. environment]. Money will come from all of the above. Buckets of it hopefully. [Infinity symbol] Ad Infinitum."
A knee high over coat in orange color. The collar is large which is turned over the coat, covering the shoulder like a triangular shawl. The coat is fastened by a belt from the same material and color. It is worn by a mannequin in front of a decor depicting three white flowers.
A mannequin is wearing a dress with a short sleeves-short overcoat. She is wearing a round shaped hat without brim. The dress is knee high and the coat has a small turned over collar with wide sleeves. the front of the coat is open and is secured by just one button on the top. The mannequin is carrying a large bag on one arm and waving a headscarf on the other. She is also placed on a flying carpet. The mannequin is also wearing sunglasses, indication of traveling fashionably.
Below-the-knee-length sleeveless dress with extended shoulders, a front buttoned placket and a thin self-fabric tied belt cinching the waist. Worn with gloves and a broach at the neckline. The model stands in front of an animal hide.
Text: "The place-- feasibility thoughts. A. It seems to be a perfect time in the industry for a whole fresh approach to the fashion scene. It seems to be a perfect time for the launching of Cashin ideas on a comprehensive scale. "An idea whose time has come?" Groundwork has been carefully laid over the years. The merchants have indicated readiness. The consumer is ready. B. Business structure -- keep approaches flexible -- keep thinking open. Money is not of first importance. Could be private investment, public investment, principals only as investors, or an overall big fat jolly Angel. Most important are the active working principals [i.e. principles]. C. Team-- B.C. design director. The search is for a production activist & a business administrator. These may be the same person. Or, the administrator may be the sales/promotion director. Handpicked general staff, all off-seventh in character, & all must be able to wear the clothes well. It is visualized that every member of the staff would enjoy incentive participation in the project. D. The location-- way-off Seventh. Near the U.N. or east on 57th St. Or a dock on the east river. The look of a working place. An imaginative factory. An eviremental [i.e. environmental] gallery. A new experience & exposure for buyers. A place they will enjoy coming to & will talk about & will quietly, without pressure, be able to intelligently plan promotions. Caution Cashin! Partners & staff must constitute a B.C. Protective Society. Only persons who can assume responsibility for the machinery of The Place are needed. B.C. must be protected to freely dream, experiment & function creatively."
Text: "Bonnie Cashin in toto. A membership club for Cashin People. An envirement (i.e. environment) in which to view & order all things B. C. at retail. A service to the consumer. This will also serve as a store spur- building up a comprehensive B. C. image- attracting the consumer they now completely miss. More important it will also serve as a testing ground for ideas they do not buy. Membership to provide: A. A stimulateing (i.e. stimulating) place to meet a friend, have refreshments, & view fashions as at a gallery. Use film, voice, & unique display. Use only ex-models as sales staff. B. Service & fashion consultation. Proper alterations & special orders. C. Information: a monthly fashion letter. D. Previews of collections. Also special holiday shows for husband's generous instincts. N.Y. will serve as a prototype for a franchise plan to be put into action as soon as year-round clothes are available. Advertiseing (i.e. advertising), buying, display, etc. will be planned & controlled from the central office. All B. C. manufacturers might participate in the financing of this plan. More- more- more."
Photograph of 3 models.The first model wears a wool collarles coat with three-quarter length sleevs over a hooded sweater. The coat is trimmed in leather and the front panels are in a wool plaid.The second model is seated and wears a knitted pullover with a large standup collar over leather pants.The third model wears a coat in a leather like material with knitted raglan sleeves, a rolled knit collar, button front and pockets. She wears driving gloves.
Photograph of a kneeling model wearing a blouson-like leather jacket with matching leather shorts. She wears a hood and has apocket hanky in the breast pocket and wears flat sandals. She is looking in a picnic basket.
Photograph of a model wearing a long coat in a plaid pattern and a shag-like material. The collar and opening are trimmed in leather. The backdrop is a screen of playing cards.
Hooded, wide-ribbed sweater worn with a skirt with a self-fringe hem. The model is seated on a folding, wooden chair in an athletic field with a score board beyond and holding the leash of a shaggy, seated dog.
Mannequins featured in a department store window are wearing a white pants suit. A long sleeves loosely fitted jacket is covering a white blouse. The suit and blouse seem to be cotton and very comfortable. The mannequin’s head is covered by a scarf that has oriental pattern on it. The second mannequin is wearing a knee high white dress with a narrow belt from the same material. The dress is covered by a knee high overcoat with long and loose sleeves. The coat has a collar, and is for casual wear.
View from the audience towards models at an event for the Lighthouse for the Blind. The stage curtain is decorated with butterflies. There are one model and two men wearing aprons on the stage. A model holding a broom and wearing an apron is stepping off of the stage. Another model is off the stage, facing the sudience and holding dusting mops. Heads of audience member seated at a table are just visible, with two lit candle on the table in the middle, indicating that this is a dining event.
View from the audience towards models at an event for the Lighthouse for the Blind. The stage curtain is decorated with butterflies. There are two models on the stage, one stepping down from the stage and one off stage facing the audience with her eyes closed and her arms held up. Heads of audience member seated at a table are just visible, with two lit candle on the table in the middle, indicating that this is a dining event.
Model on runway at a fashion show for the Light house for the Blind. The barefoot model wears a camisole and a full, pleated calf-length striped skirt with a matching cone-shaped hat. the audience can be seen in the background.
Bonnie Cashin on stage at an event for the Lighthouse for the Blind. The stage curtain is decorated with butterflies. Cashin is wearing a patterned dirndl skirt and leather top. She is holding a straw basket filled with poufy dusters, and she holds a duster up in the air. A man stands behind her.
Text of press release: "BONNIE CASHIN TAKES A GIANT STEP IN SUEDEHere is a 2 piece all-suede suit that will pep up even the weariest traveler. Styled particularly for individualists, impeccably tailored in the newest of our suede shades - a derring-do color called Krishna. Peek under the soft, bow-tied jacket and you’ll find the brightest surprise of the season. A sleeveless blouse of light weight brushed jersey in the boldest, brightest multicolored flower pattern you can imagine. The suit in Krishna (turquoise) suede, Style #733X13Z4 about $125.00 retail. The blouse, Style#14 about $55. 00 retail. Both in 8 to 16 sizes.EDITOR THIS PHOTO IS EXCLUSIVE TO YOU IN YOUR CITY."
Long, narrow skirt in a bi-color twill weave wool fabric, with a side slit, leather-banded edges and leather waist ties. Worn with a sleeveless top with extended shoulders.
Shawl collar suede jacket lined in a substantial rib knit, with a matching rib knit top with a suede-bound neckline. A suede strap tie is fastened around the waist. Paired with a matching narrow, over-the-knee length suede skirt. Accessorized with jersey cap.
Drawing consisting of a series of concentric circles. The 1st layer (innermost circle) contains a drawing of a naked woman, and the following text: "what we wear, what we carry, what we adorn ourselves with." The 2nd layer text is "our interior living spaces, what we cook with, how we relax, how we entertain, the objects we use, how we use our homes, what we sleep on, what we sit on." 3rd layer: "Our streets, our gardens, our block, the community, the neighbors." 4th layer: "The town, the city, the state. Our people planning, our air, our water, our human concerns, our streets, our block, etc." 5th layer: "Our country. Outermost layer: "Planet earth." In the bottom corners of the drawings are the phrases "We can't escape it" and "Let's come to terms."
Mannequin wearing a suit with a leather skirt and a woolen fabric or knit jacket with leather sleeves . Accessorized with a black hat and black cashmere shell.
Mannequin wearing a muslin, or mock-up, of a garment consisting of a light-colored jacket with dark cuffs, over a dark skirt that extends past the knees.
Mannequin wearing a knit vest-like garment in earth tones over brown leather (or artificial leather) pants. Also wearing a brown cap. Alternate view: Paper_III_01t. Label: Paper_III_02t.