Designer Mary Ann Restivo Dies

The designer opened his own company in 1980 and retired just a few years ago. She died on Sunday after her hospice care at Mary Manning Walsh Home.

According to her husband, Saul Rosen, the cause of death is a rare form of small bowel cancer.

Restivo was in her middle age of 70, though her husband, who had been with her husband for 38 years, did not know her exact age.

Born in South Orange, N.J. Restivo first studied retail sales in St. Elizabeth for two years, then in Fashion Institute of Technology, where she received an associate degree in Applied Arts.

Her father, Joseph, is a tailor, and has a small shop called The Mary Ann Little Shop in her hometown.

She first joined Seventh Avenue's youth sports brand Abby Michael in 1961. After a few years, she was designed for Bernard Levine, Petti for Jack Winter, Something, Bernard, and Bernard.

From 1974 to 1980, she became the chief designer of Dior New York women's coat department.

In those days, Restivo ventured the Ann Restivo Inc. company with the help of several investors. Its tailored clothes accord with the desire of professional women in 80s.

In 1988, Restivo sold her company to Leslie Fay Corporation (as old as her age), and she did not share wealth with her husband.

"I never knew how much she sold," Rosen said on Tuesday.

"She is very independent."

Until Leslie Fay closed the Department in 1992, Restivo continued to design in her company.

At that time, she pformed herself into an independent design consultant, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Burberry.

Combined with the latter in 1995, she said, "all classics return to chic."

Burberry always reminds people of quality and delicacy.

I want to turn it into 90s. "

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Restivo, a long-time member of the Council of designers, launched the scarf series in 1999, and explored the home accessories in the same year.

The friendship between Monika Tilley and Restivo deepened during the board of directors serving CFDA, describing her as a passionate professional.

She takes part in every aspect of her design, and she enjoys every minute - from fabric selection to final retail.

She knows everyone's preferences. She likes what she does. She cares.

For the first time, her designs make the working women look beautiful.

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It is part of the annual lunch club to help Eleanor Lambert celebrate her birthday, which lasted for many years until Lambert died.

Cathy Hardwick, Mary McFadden, Patricia Underwood and Stan Herman are included.

Hardwick met Restivo in 60s, and said on Tuesday, "she is so sweet and soft spoken.

We all like her.

She is such a fantastic idea.

The honor of Restivo included the young designer award of Hecht in 1968, the Mortimer C. Ritter award from Fashion Institute of Technology in 1973, and the honorary doctorate degree from the school of St. and Elizabeth in her alma mater in 1986; 1992, the best alumni of the year, and the medal of honour for 1993.

In the 80s of last century, when society talked about everything about excess, Restivo told People magazine, "people need clothes that are sensible and fashionable."

Because of this, Gloria Steinem once described the design of Restivo as "even after you die, another woman will find and like it in a second-hand store."

"In 1980, Restivo was one of the leading designers of the first fashion company, so she looked at things in different ways," Herman said, adding that she encouraged other designers.

Her husband said her greatest success was a more personal pursuit.

"Mary Ann has what the world really needs, not in terms of her flesh and blood.

Only words can't be heard.

Besides her husband, Restivo has an older sister, Florence.