Edie Adams—a 20th-century renaissance woman
I stumbled upon this photograph of a young, bundled-up woman next to a Lincoln Capri in the fall of 1952. It was striking, autumnal, interesting, fun—and just perfect for revisiting this fall. (And, as a matter of interest, the Ford Motor Company manufactured the Lincoln Capri model from 1952 until 1959.)
Edie Adams’ mother taught her how to sing and play piano. Her grandmother taught her how to sew.
She earned a vocal degree from Juilliard, graduated from the Columbia School of Drama and started making her own clothes when she was in 6th grade.
She appeared on television for more than 40 years, starred in classic films and headlined every major New York nightclub. Her time on the stage earned her a Tony award.
Adams owned clothing and cosmetic lines. Her beauty salons, Edie Adams Cut & Curl, were open from coast to coast. As if that wasn’t enough, she owned and worked on an almond farm.
This is Edie Adams—comedienne, actress, singer and businesswoman—truly an American treasure.
Read on about more women of the mid century such as Modern(ist) Women: Ray Eames, Modern(ist) Women: Florence Knoll and Midcentury Women in Textiles
