Jessica Daves

Daves was born in Cartersville, Georgia, in 1898, but moved to New York City, in 1921, where she worked in the advertising industry.^[1] She first started to work as a fashion merchandising editor at Vogue in 1933, and was promoted to managing editor in 1936.^[1] In 1952, she became editor in chief of Vogue and later retired in 1963.^[1]

She is distinctly known for the promotion of American ready-to-wear during her time at Vogue. A fashion writer noted, "She spotted the trend, and her major fashion impact was to make ready‐to‐wear chic."^[1]

She wrote or co-wrote three books: The Vogue Book of Menus, Ready‐Made Miracle: The Story of American Fashion for the 'Millions' and The World in Vogue.^[1] In 2019, fashion historian Rebecca Tuite published an account of her Vogue editorship,1950s in Vogue: The Jessica Daves Years, 1952-1962.^[2]