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Joan Thoss, 1949 |
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I am not sure
anybody remembers me,
 My name is Joan,
daughter of Charlie Thoss. After high school I attended
Washington University, graduating with a degree Fine Arts, and a major in
fashion design, becoming a shoe designer for 20 years. When we moved to Florida I was designing
for Capezio in Italy and
Spain. (I was probably the first shoe designer in America, with
an education. There were a few others, but mostly nice
ladies with a flair, Most shoes were copied from Europe.) I also
consulted Stride Rite, designing their fashion line,
under another name. My main claim to fame was DeLiso debs. You bought them at Famous Barr. I did
them for 15 years then consulted for them a few
more before I moved to New York.That was just the beginning.........
I married an
architect whom I met at Wash. U. We had duel careers for all
our years. He had an opportunity to move to Florida,
starting his own office. I gave up my life to move for
him, as he had moved to New York for my business. Anyway, long stories
- too long to go into.
Meantime, I did
a couple of things on the side. I found out about a
sculptor who taught doll sculpture, getting into that. I
was actually under contract to the Franklin Mint for some
years designing some lovely dolls (sculpted
out of clay, made into molds, then poured the porcelain,
etc.... etc....
I also started a line of expensive children's clothing. That was really fun and rewarding. The clothes were made in the Philippines, and with wonderful handwork. (I quit that when the people I was working with did something dishonest).
As of recently, I retired, trying to get
my life back. I have purchased a digital sewing
machine, and digitizing software. I am taking classes in
digitizing my own designs which get downloaded into a memory
stick or one can just hook the sewing machine up to the computer
and sew out your designs. Now, it sounds like I am
doing that, right? Not, I am still learning, hopefully I can master
it someday. At least it may stave off Alzheimer's a
few more years. They say keeping the mind going
is the secret...haaaaaaaaaaaa Everybody in my
class is taking the course for the second or third time! I
likely will also.
As to the 2009
reunion, I don't
think I will ever travel again, having to do with my broken back
and broken hip. I could drive, but not too excited
about that anymore. I have the main problem of
sitting, all chairs are too low. I have to keep my
hips above my knees, being tall, that is very difficult to
do. That is why I don't go anywhere
anymore. I just stay here with my cat and keep
myself stressed out, being busy...........too busy.
I have a son, James, who is
in the oil business, in New Orleans. He's a Petroleum Engineer
(big time geologist) who graduated from Tulane (New Orleans) and
thus stayed in the city. They are still trying to recover from
Hurricane Katrina. It is very sad. He has a little daughter
who will be five in November. He will be 53 in January. Oh
Dear!
In 1972 or thereabouts there
was an alumni meeting and I ask those guys why they did not ask
me out, and they all said..........."WHAT! ASK OUT OLD MAN THOSS' DAUGHTER.......YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING!". So
my days were spent feeling left out, and too thin........imagine
that!
I
just want those guys who wouldn't ask me out when we were in
school to know they
really missed out on a good thing! I was rather shy back then
but I made up for
that in the following years! LOL
As
always........you guys................ love, Joan |