Amey

Ronald (1886-1932). American designer born in Arizona. He studied design at the Chouinard School in Los Angeles and began to work in the world of fashion. At the outbreak of the Korea War he enlisted in the Air Force. While in the service, together with another soldier, he designed dresses for the wives of his fellow servicemen living at their airbase in New Mexico. After his discharge, he moved to New York and resumed his studies at Parsons, although he didn’t graduate. He worked for several fashion houses but, because of his volatile character, he didn’t put down roots anywhere. He started his own business, Burkey-Amey, in 1959, together with his ex army-buddy Joseph Burke. At its peak the business had 40 employees. In 1970 Amey acquired his partner’s shares and started Ronald Amery, Inc. As with many other fashion houses in the early 1970s, the new business had difficulties establishing itself, while the critics considered his designs too innovative. Before his death, the designer collaborated with Aurora Ruffolo.