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Born in New York City, Donald Brooks grew up near New Haven, CT. He first studied Fine Arts and English Literature at Syracuse University, and then moved to Parsons School of Design studying Art History and Fashion in the early 50s. Starting his fashion career after several years of apprenticeship (sketching and window display) he was discovered at Lord & Taylor. After this, he designed ladies' sportswear for a few companies, one of which was Darbury. Later, he succeeded Claire McCardell, designing better-priced sportswear for Townley Frocks, Inc.
New York was then the worlds' sportswear capital. It was here that Mr. Brooks earned the 'Special Award' from the 1958 Coty American Fashion Critics (75 top fashion editors), "for his vital clothes for our most vital young American woman who know the razor-sharp, stripped elegance of his designs without looking at the label. Often first with a fashion idea, he pioneered the relaxed and the high-waisted styles of today in a strictly American way." (Eleanor Lambert, 1958)
The 'Brooks Look' meant clean, clear lines, colorful prints which he designed himself, and sporty, trendsetting American clothes. A 1959 issue of Life Magazine featured three outfits by Brooks which were top fashions of the day: a sari evening dress and two fur coats, one in zebra and one in seal with a fox collar.
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