Sydney Wragge

Sydney Wragge (1908–1978) was an American fashion designer active during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Working as B.H. Wragge, he was particularly renowned for his American sportswear, with the historian Caroline Rennolds Milbank declaring him the leader in mix-and-match separates and interchangeable wardrobe design.

History In the 1930s and 1940s, Wragge, along with John Weitz, was one of the few male "pioneers" in the female-dominated world of early American sportswear design. The fashion journalist Sally Kirkland, looking over the development of American sportswear, compared Wragge's design ethos to that of a later designer, Ralph Lauren, declaring that they shared impeccable taste and an eye for the best possible fabrics and prints. He was known for his versatile work, offering jackets that worked with both full and narrow skirts, and two-piece dresses that worked equally well as interchangeable blouses and skirts. In the 1960s, he updated his work to successfully meet the demands of the next generation for even more practical, pared-down clothing. He also received the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1961.