Esther Larson

Larson -- Esther M., 96, of NYC, formerly of Ware, Ma. and Union, Ct., died Sunday, June 7, 2015. A highly respected fashion illustrator for more than 50 years, as a child she exhibited precocious artistic talent and, upon graduation from Greenwich, Ct. High School, was awarded a scholarship to The American School of Design, where she studied fine art. Her professional career began in 1942 at Women's Wear Daily, and after a brief sabbatical at May Company, Los Angeles as head artist, then, later, Ransohoff's, San Francisco as head artist and art director, she returned to New York and, at the behest of Andrew Goodman, she began a 30 year relationship with Bergdorf Goodman, where her work was featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The New York Herald Tribune, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Town and Country. Simultaneously, she worked editorially for The New York Times, Charm, Mademoiselle, Seventeen and Vogue. At the urging of Vogue's editors, Ms. Larson designed a line of garden clothes which were featured in Vogue, The New York Times, and The Daily News. The latter noted that Ms. Larson was the highest paid fashion artist in New York at the time. After the sale of Bergdorf Goodman Ms. Larson joined Lord and Taylor and subsequently created fashion illustrations for premier specialty stores throughout the country: Jacobson's, Montaldo's, Kreeger's and numerous others. Throughout her career Ms. Larson captured the essence of each distinct fashion period and promoted the work of a cadre of prominent fashion designers: Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, Halston, Galanos, Charles James, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and numerous others. Her body of work is currently featured at Kent State University's School of Fashion Design and Merchandising and in the archives of The Fashion Institute of Technology as well as the Smithsonian, which chose 55 illustrations for its permanent collection. In 1998 the Society of Illustrators elected her to its list of "Women Illustrators, Past and Present". Ms. Larson's other interests included restoring nationally recognized New England farm houses and herb gardens, collecting 18th century American art and Americana, restoring and displaying vintage Model A Ford automobiles throughout the country and breeding and showing Airedale terriers. Most significant, however, more than her numerous professional achievements, she was an impeccable, wife, mother, employer and dog mistress. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Jack Everett Larson, in 2005, her beloved canine companion, Melvin, in 2009 and is survived by her loyal friends and longtime caregivers, Anna Mazur and Dorothy Krempa, her sister, Carolyn D. Gerwick, Stamford, Ct., and her son, Jack Everett Larson, Jr., Eastford, Ct. A devout animal lover,her survivors would greatly appreciate contributions in Esther and Melvin Larson's memory to: The Animal Haven, 89 Mill Rd., North Haven, Ct. 06473.