Jo Copeland

Jo Copeland (28 February 1898 – March 20, 1982) was an American fashion designer. She received the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1944.

Early life and education The daughter of Samuel and Minna Copeland, Josephine "Jo" Copeland was born in New York City on 28 February 1898. Her mother died during childbirth. Copeland was educated in New York at Parsons School of Design and Art Students League of New York.

Career After graduating from the Parsons School of Design, she began working as a designer which paid enough to help put her older brothers through Harvard Law School. and was hired by Pattulo Models Inc in 1920 as a fashion illustrator. She also persuaded other American fashion designers to become independent from Paris' influence. Copeland was so determined to not be influenced by Paris that she refused to travel to the city after 1947. By 1949, she was promoted to partner at the firm Pattulo Models Inc

Copeland designed the buttoned, two-piece suit for women to wear without a blouse. As a result, many of her designs incorporated an extended torso and skirts no shorter than two inches above the knee.