Edith Demarest "Eye on Resort Fashion" Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS 010

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Edith Demarest Collection contains four series of archival records regarding the business of her fashion column, “Eye on Resort Fashion”. The Series 1 contains correspondence with various designer brands, retail stores and publications. Series 2 contains articles, editorial drafts, original sketches and photographs used for visual inspiration for “Eye on Resort Fashion”. Series 3 contains business documentation relating to Edith's company, including copies of manufacturer lists and retail source lists. Series 4 contains copies of press releases from brands and retailers Edith conducted business with.

Dates

Creation: 1960 - 1967

Biographical / Historical

Edith Estella Pond Demarest (1914 – 2010) was born in Swampscott, Massachusetts on October 26, 1914, to Bernice May Brooks and Russell Scott Pond. Edith and her family moved to Sarasota, Florida in the 1920's. She attended school in Sarasota and several art schools in Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA and New York City, NY. Edith worked in the graphic art industry in New York City, working freelance at first and in the 1960s for an advertising agency. Her work appeared in national publications and newspapers.

Upon her return to Sarasota in 1948, Edith became an art teacher at McClellan Park School and submitted editorials and articles for Child Life Publication’s magazine and books. She also painted watercolors for exhibit and sale. Edith was head of the Art Department for the Sarasota News, overseeing layout and finished art. She was also Art Editor of the “Weekend Newspaper Magazine”. During the 1960s, she started a fashion column, “Eye on Resort Fashion” and provided copy to several newspapers. Edith used the pseudonym “Edith Brooks” as a nod to the writing and editing contributions of her daughter, Brooks Post Mitchell. Articles from "Eye on Resort Fashion" appeared in the Orlando Sentinel, Sarasota Herald Tribune, Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times.

Edith was married to David Thompson Demarest (1923-2010) from 1954 until his death in 2010. Edith Demarest passes away on August 20, 2010. Edith and David were survived by two children, Walter L. Post III and Brooks Post Mitchell.

Extent

2.75 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Physical Location

This collection is stored offsite in a remote storage facility. Materials from the collection can be brought to the Sarasota County History Center for viewing upon request. Please contact the Sarasota County History Center by phone at 941-861-6090 or by email at historycenter@scgov.net at least three business days before your visit to ensure the material will be available when you arrive.

General

The Sarasota County History Center collects historical records and publications that were created over a broad span of time by a wide variety of individuals and groups. Some of the content in these collections may contain language or imagery that today would be considered negative, inappropriate or offensive. The contents of these historical collections do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs or policies of the History Center, the Department of Libraries and Historical Resources or Sarasota County Government. These materials are made available to the public strictly for research and educational purposes.