Odette Barsa (née Matouk, 29 December 1901 – 8 January 1975) was a Syrian-American lingerie designer, and the founder of the eponymous label.

Odette Barsa
Born
Odette Matouk

(1901-12-29)29 December 1901
Syria
Died8 January 1975(1975-01-08) (aged 73)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Lingerie designer, entrepreneur
Spouse
Simon Barsa
(m. 1925)
Children3

Biography

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Odette Barsa was born in Syria on 29 December 1901.[1][2]

In 1925, she married Simon Barsa (1888–1977), a Syrian-born businessman. After the 1929 stock market crash, her husband's business struggled, so she started making lingerie.[1] In the 1930 census, he was described as "Manufacturer, Rugs". They had three children, Gabriel, Albert and Nadia, all born in New York. Over time her business grew to occupy a whole floor of 16 East 34th Street, New York City.[1] Her designs are represented today in the holdings of the Texas Fashion Collection, the Mint Museum, and the Goldstein Museum of Design.[citation needed]

Barsa died in January 1975, and the business continued for some time, run by her sons.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Barsa, Odette". vintagefashionguild.org. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b "United States Social Security Death Index". familysearch.org. Retrieved 1 March 2020.