Brooks, Donald

(1928-2005)

   Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Brooks graduated from Parsons School of Design in the late 1940s. He designed under his own label from 1965 to 1973. Brooks is the founder of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). He helped create the American Look along with designers Bill Blass and Geoffrey Beene—together they were known as the "three Bs." In 1966, Gimbels was the first American department store to carry the "three Bs" under their own individual labels. Brooks designed ready-to-wear, swimwear, lingerie, rainwear, furs, wigs, home furnishings, and menswear; and he is best known for use of prints in his clothing designs.