Typed letter from John Rechy in El Paso, Texas to Carey McWilliams, thanking McWililams for recommending Rechy to do an essay-review for "Saturday Review" and Rechy's article on Peace GI's in "The Nation."
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."
Sketch of a figure wearing a long jumper over a long sleeve top. The shoulder straps have toggle closures and there is a seam at the empire waistline. There is a panel of a different fabric starting at the knee down to the hem. Swatches of a light brown and a rust colored suede are attached.
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.
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."
"Big soft pauch soft sac #2011": shoulder strap and a signature front pocket with a silvertone change purse closure. Opens to a leather pocket with zip closure.
Handwritten on drawing: Shantung anyone? / new way to look -- tough double ticking -- patched and edged with suede -- wear it with suede breeches and a sweater or shirt --- the shantung shell / bellows pocket / back, slit pocket / Bonnie Cashin
Handwritten on drawing: the Llamasery coat -- this year in suede lined in curly goat -- I'd like it in maybe sour "espagna" yellow -- and wear it over country things as well as everything else / Bonnie Cashin
Handwritten on drawing: parabola covering for a late day costume / [swatch note:] edge is peat, 6507 (4507) / parabola skirt pattern / [skirt:] peat leather, elastic waist / Bonnie Cashin / Feb '70
Handwritten on drawing: Alas! for you who insist on long - do it very coachman- y- edge it in leather / hardware it together / leather under [collar] / [wholesale cost:] 129.75, [retail cost:] 240.00 / Bonnie Cashin / Aug '70
Sketch of a figure wearing a pantsuit ensemble with a knee-length a-line button front coat and pants in matching fabric. Includes a swatch of multi-colored glen plaid fabric.
Sketch of a figure wearing a three quarter sleeve coat made-up of "panels" of fabric top-stitched together. This is worn over a long sleeve garment in a ric rac design fabric with a funnel neck hood. Includes two swatches of fabric in a ric rac design, one black and grey the other cream and taupe colored.
Handwritten on drawing: Utterly simple cardigan of black leather - sleeve cropped - lined in the same birds egg spotted jersey as the hooded dress - stitch the leather in the creamy white of the jersey - keep it all very slim- / Bonnie Cashin / Sept '70
Sketch of a parabola jacket with dolman sleeves and stand-up collar. Shown with a and pleated in the same fabric. Pockets of jacket are edged in leather. Skirt has leather edge and underlay.
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.
Text of press release : "EXCLUSIVE TO YOU IN YOUR CITYBonnie Cashin’s new collection for Philip Sills & Company is a re-dedication of their concepts to that growing clientele they both dearly love - - “that aware, involved, independent woman, who has not the time or taste for fads or period pieces, and who considers her wardrobe an enriching adjunct to total living.”For this independent busy girl here is a workable, wearable canvas jacket which has two Cashin trade-marks: the attached purse-pocket with turn- screwed closure, and the leather tracings.The jacket can be worn with a skirt or dress, but makes its important appearance when worn with matching narrow pants. These are a new interpretation of leather front, with a canvas back.The colors are lyrical, such as: malarky, geranium, pheasant, linen and toffee.Jacket No. 2734. - extra small, small and medium: - $140.00Pants - No. 2746 - Sizes 6 to 114- - $80.00.Available in your city."
Contact sheet with 12 prints of a model in a full-length weather-proof coat with a leather-lined collar and clasps. In a couple of prints the model holds a lower panel removed from the coat making it three-quarter length and demonstrating the versatility of the garment. The model wears a skirt with pockets of what looks like the same material as the coat, hood and black high boots.
Contact sheet with 12 prints of a model wearing a dark-colored quilted, flaired, sleeveless leather coat with pockets over which is a wool cape with a large houndstooth pattern fastened at the neck. The model wears gloves and dark-colored, tasselled leather bucket hat over a hood.