Jane Derby

Who was Jane Derby?

Jane Derby was a top-of-the-line ready-to-wear American fashion designer from the 1930s to 1965.

Derby opened her business in New York in 1936. She started her own label, Jane Derby Inc., for mature women, in 1938. Early in the 1950s, designer John Moore worked for her. Oscar de la Renta started in 1965 with Derby. After Derby died that August, Oscar de la Renta took over the line. He first used the label "Oscar de la Renta for Jane Derby," but in 1966 he changed it to his name. In 1974, he took control of the whole business.