Liqueurs

Unthinkable

I was going to post this at first for the Cusenier lettering and because I thought the headlines were funny. But digging around, I found some info about Elizabeth Hawes and Ilka Chase, two really interesting women. Ilka Chase was more famous than I knew, and worked into the 1970’s.

It is usually when men are at their most religious that they behave with the least sense and the greatest cruelty.
Ilka Chase

I feel stupider for not knowing Elizabeth Hawes – what a cool person. Designer, activist, writer, critic.

Originally uploaded by mamluke

More than just these two women, though, you’re kind of struck by how far we’ve regressed. There’s maybe a hint of sexism if you think Liqueurs are feminine, but then again, they’re not being marketed to women, here, as hostesses, but as women of discernment and taste. I don’t know how many women executives there were back in ’34 (probably like three fewer than there are now), but Cusenier was trying to corner their business. Interesting.