SCHRADER, ABE

SCHRADER, ABE (1900–2001), U.S. apparel manufacturer. Schrader came to the U.S. in 1921 practically penniless, after feeling the effects of bigotry as a member of the Polish Army, and became the quintessential garment industry success story, an iconic figure whose life spanned the entire 20th century. His mother had hoped he would become a rabbi, but he joined his uncle's company as a shipping clerk for $10 a week. After learning to cut patterns, he opened his own factory and was a contractor from 1927 to 1952. During World War II, his business prospered when he was contracted to make uniforms for the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. In the early 1950s, Schrader decided to leave the anonymity of contracting and put his own name on the clothes he made. He briefly went into business with Leonard Arkin but eventually opened his own company, Abe Schrader Corp., building a $70 million business known for tasteful dresses and separates. The company went public in 1969, and in 1984 he sold his business to Interco Inc. of St. Louis for almost $40 million, remaining as chairman. Four years later Interco began to sell off its apparel units and Schrader tried to buy his company back. He could not come to terms, however, and retired in February 1989. In addition to being a leading dress manufacturer for almost 40 years, Schrader led a campaign to have New York City recognized as "the fashion capital of the world," helped open channels between the industry and the city's government, and led the fight to have part of Seventh Avenue – the heart of the city's garment district – renamed Fashion Avenue. Schrader was also active politically. After becoming a major fundraiser for the 1964 presidential campaign of Lyndon B. Johnson, a man he admired because of his stance on civil rights, Schrader was invited to the White House on numerous occasions. He also led campaigns to raise money for the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies and for Israel Bonds. Schrader was known   for his wry wit and intelligence and could quote Sartre, Dostoyevsky, and the Talmud as easily as he could price a dress. Although Schrader was an activist on behalf of his fellow manufacturers, he believed in labor unions and was a long-time confidante of david dubinsky , president of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. For many of the years he had been in business, Schrader was joined by his son Mort, who became president of Abe Schrader Corp. in 1968. Another son, Steven, was with the company for a short time, but established his own career in publishing. In 1988, the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York named one of its apparel manufacturing labs the Abe Schrader Production Laboratory. Schrader marked his 100th birthday in October 2000 with a party for more than 200 guests at New York's Plaza Hotel. He spent part of the night dancing. (Mort Sheinman (2nd ed.)