Frank Usher & Dusk – Anne & Max Bruh
In 1944 Anne and Max Bruh, both refugees from Germany living in London, bought an ‘off the shelf’ company named Frank Usher. In the same year they married and took the bold step of launching a new Fashion collection onto Wartime Britain.
Anne was an extremely talented designer who injected the then rare element of Glamour into this ‘Day to Dinner’ range. Despite rationing, the Frank Usher label became a great success, initially in Britain where it caught the post war euphoria. Selling in major Department Stores such as Harrods in London and Macy’s in New York, from the 1950s onwards the mixture of beautiful fabrics and soft tailoring soon made it a Worldwide name for special occasions.
Our Fashion insider says “Anne Bruh from the 1940s onwards was up there with the leading French designers of the day. She was a perfectionist and at times could be difficult. However her prodigious talent displayed over so many successful brands, was unmatched. A workaholic her idea of a Sunday off was with her grandchildren in tow, to visit fashion exhibitions. Her contribution to fashion is enormous and she was among the first to produce a couture look at ready to wear prices with styles still very much in demand.”
Through the addition of a new factory in India hand beaded evening wear, which had previously been exorbitantly expensive, was now more accessible. Anne’s Red-Carpet designs became a major part of the Frank Usher brand. Beading was perfectly suited to the party-loving 80s where cocktail parties, balls, and formal dinners were all part of the busy social scene.
Over a period of five decades Frank Usher grew into a succession of many other brands all of which were overseen by Anne and all with the “wow factor”. These included Coterie, Dusk, Belinda Ch’ng and Oliver James. All of which were regularly seen at red-carpet events.
Despite their humble beginnings Anne and Max rose to the top of the international fashion market where these vintage styles still demand attention today. Worn by royalty and socialites alike, it was the first choice of everyone anticipating a special occasion.
Anne and Max Bruh are now deceased.
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