Marla Day, Speaker
Curator of Kansas State University's Historic Costume and Textile Museum in Manhattan
Dress for Success: Nelly Don and American Fashion
Presentation by: Marla Day
You can’t mention 20th-century women’s wear without thinking of Nelly Don. The Parsons native built a fashion empire on the vision that women deserved affordable, stylish clothing regardless of means or status. From humble beginnings, Don built a company that treated her workforce of women fairly, brought fashion to millions of American women, and became the largest dressmaker of the century. Ellen “Nell” Quinlan Donnelly’s story is one of innovation, triumph, and hard work—all rooted in her small-town Kansas upbringing.
Contact Marla directly about speaking at your event:
mday@k-state.edu
(785) 532-1328
Manhattan