Larry Aldrich spent 40 years in Manhattan’s fashion industry, earning a place as one of New York City’s most successful designers. In 1964, he established the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Initially met with skepticism, dismissed as an indulgence for the wealthy or a tax avoidance strategy, the museum grew into a respected cultural institution. Read more on i-manhattan.
Early Life and Career
Born on June 13, 1906, in Manhattan to Russian immigrant parents, Larry Aldrich initially planned to study law at Columbia University in 1924. However, a summer job in the garment industry changed his trajectory, sparking his interest in fashion. By 1927, he had launched his own company in New York, with his first collection achieving notable success.
Aldrich’s career in fashion began in 1924, but it wasn’t until the 1940s that he started producing clothing under his own label. He served as the president of the New York Couture Group, an organization representing about 20 leading haute couture brands, further establishing himself as a key figure in the fashion industry.
Transition to Art Collection
Although his journey into the art world began by chance in 1937, Aldrich’s interest in collecting became serious by the 1940s. After marrying Winifred Payne, the couple purchased a home in Ridgefield, Connecticut. To support his wife’s interest in painting, Aldrich began bringing art books home, which eventually ignited his own passion for art.
Following World War II, Aldrich and his wife traveled to Paris with the intention of acquiring works by Maurice Utrillo, marking the beginning of his expansive art collection. His acquisitions grew rapidly, leading to the purchase of a building in Ridgefield to house his collection. To fund this endeavor, Aldrich auctioned off pieces by Picasso, Miró, Chagall, and Klee, raising $1.3 million—a substantial amount at the time.
In 1964, he founded the Larry Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, which awarded an annual prize to artists who significantly influenced contemporary art over the previous three years. His fashion house also designed uniforms for volunteer docents at the St. Louis City Art Museum in 1968.
From Fashion to Art
In 1966, Aldrich sold his fashion business. By 1967, his museum had evolved into a respected institution, attracting notable trustees like Alfred Barr, Joseph Hirshhorn, and Philip Johnson.
Between 1973 and 1990, Aldrich supported the Soho Center for Visual Arts, a nonprofit exhibition space for emerging artists whose works were not yet featured in galleries. In the early 1980s, the museum’s board voted to continue Aldrich’s policy of focusing on underrepresented artists by selling its permanent collection.
In 1986, the museum expanded its exhibition space, doubling its capacity. In 1991, at the age of 86, Aldrich established the Larry Aldrich Award to support emerging creators.
Contributions to Fashion and Art
Larry Aldrich left a lasting legacy as a visionary American fashion designer, art collector, and philanthropist. His contributions to fashion include:
- Building a comprehensive collection of historical and contemporary fashion and textiles, recognized as one of the most significant in the United States.
- Establishing the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, which also hosted fashion exhibitions.
- Lending his fashion collection to institutions like the Museum at FIT in New York, promoting awareness of fashion as both an art form and a historical artifact.
- Supporting fashion education and preservation efforts, enhancing public understanding of fashion history.
Legacy and Passing
Larry Aldrich was known for his vibrant personality and youthful spirit, which he maintained throughout his life. Reports suggest he spent his first earnings on a bright red Oakland roadster and was often seen wearing spats and carrying a cane.
In 1996, at age 90, Aldrich received an honorary degree in fine arts from the University of Connecticut. A week before his death, he attended a museum board meeting where plans for its reconstruction and expansion were unanimously approved.
Aldrich passed away on October 26, 2001, at Weill Cornell Center in New York. He was 95 years old and resided in Manhattan. He is survived by his wife, Winifred Payne Aldrich, daughters Jordana Geller, Susan Hubert, and Kate Strassman, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.