August 10, 1979-  Leader in Ready-to-Wear, Ben Zuckerman, died at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. He was 89.

Zuckerman was one of 13 children, born in Romania on 29 July 1890. He was brought to America as a child by his parents, and settled in New Jersey. His formal education ended at age 15 and he began work as a floor sweeper in a dress factory on Canal Street for $3 a week. He gradually learned the cutting trade, and at 21 he formed a partnership with Joseph Hoffman, making expensive coats and suits. In the late 1920's Zuckerman formed a partnership with Kraus, which continued until 1949. At this time he traveled around Europe and returned to American in 1950 to open his own business. 

Harry Shacter was his designer, and the two formed a very successful partnership, which lead to both becoming charter members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Zuckerman became very well known for his well constructed, high quality suits, dresses and coats. They were know as having the fit and feel of Parisian originals, and were seen as the only clothes made in America that looked as if they were designed by Dior or Balenciaga.

Zuckerman won the Coty American Fashion Critics award in 1952 and 1956. In 1961 he received the Hall of Fame award. In 1951 he received the Neiman-Marcus award.

Molly Parnis, another well known American designer, said 'He never was replaced. There's nobody who does uniquely and exactly what he did. He had a marvelous flair for fabric and colour, and putting them all together. He took such pride in his clothes that nobody could sell them better than he could.'

Zuckerman was always praised for his tailoring, but he never learned to sew. He could cut and drape like a master. He was well know for his devotion to every detail of his business, from delivering thousands of dollars of merchandise to a store, to filling an order for a yard of fabric for a customer's hat. 

He is survived by a brother, Joseph, of Los Angeles.