Fannie Criss facts for kids

Fannie Criss (born in 1866, died on February 2, 1942) was a super talented African-American fashion designer. She was famous for making beautiful, handmade dresses and gowns. She created these special clothes for important people in Richmond, Virginia, and New York City.

A Fashion Star is Born

Fannie learned how to sew and make dresses from her mom. Later, she even taught young women in Richmond how to sew, sharing her amazing skills. She started her career by traveling to people's homes to sew for them. This was a common way for seamstresses to work back then.

Becoming a Top Designer

In the early 1900s, Fannie Criss became one of Richmond's most celebrated designers. Her elegant, handmade dresses were so special that she could charge a lot for them. Some of her dresses cost up to $200!

Fannie worked with her housekeeper and a few young women to create these amazing designs. She made dresses for the wealthy white families in Richmond. People really respected her work, especially her stunning wedding gowns.

Her Work in Museums

One of Fannie's beautiful dresses was given to the Valentine Museum in Richmond. This museum has a huge collection of old costumes. The dress was a "second day dress" from 1896. It was worn at a fancy wedding in Richmond.

Another one of her creations, a wool two-part dress, was shown in an exhibit. This exhibit was called "Pretty Powerful: Fashion and Virginia Women." It was in Richmond from May 2018 to January 2019.

Famous Friends and Clients

Fannie Criss designed clothes for some very important and famous people.

Maggie L. Walker

One of her wealthy clients was Maggie L. Walker. Maggie was a neighbor on West Leigh Street in Richmond. She was also the first Black woman to start and lead a bank! Her bank was called St. Luke's Penny Thrift Saving Bank.

Gloria Swanson

Gloria Swanson was another famous client. She was a huge movie star and was once the highest-paid actress in Hollywood!

Madam C. J. Walker and A'Lelia Bundles

Fannie Criss was also neighbors and close friends with Sara Breedlove Walker. You might know her better as Madam C. J. Walker. Madam C. J. Walker was a very successful businesswoman. Fannie also designed dresses for Madam C. J. Walker's daughter, A'Lelia Bundles.

Early Life

Fannie Criss was born in 1866 in Cumberland County, Virginia. Her parents, Samuel and Adeline Criss, had been enslaved before she was born. Fannie was one of their seven children. She was also their first child born after they became free.

Later, her family moved to Richmond. Fannie listed herself as a dressmaker in the city's business directory. In 1902, there were 132 women listed as dressmakers. Out of these, 20 were Black, and 112 were White.

Personal Life

In 1895, Fannie Criss married William Thornton Payne. They bought a home on West Leigh Street in Richmond. This was a nice, wealthy area. Fannie ran her dressmaking business right from this house.

Her marriage to William Payne didn't last long. Later, she married William White. Around 1918, Fannie and William moved to New York City. They bought a brownstone townhouse in the Harlem neighborhood. Their new home was at 219 West 137th Street.

Fannie continued her dressmaking business from her New York home. Her business grew even more! She started designing for wealthy Black women, Broadway stars, and movie actresses. Fannie had a fun and lively personality. Her New York home was "filled with nice furniture and lots of silver and pretty things." It became a favorite spot for many important Black people in the city.

Fannie Criss passed away on February 2, 1942, in New York. She was 76 years old.