Alfred E. Bosand of Water Mill and New York City died November 15 in Delray Beach, Florida. He was 89.
Born in Woodhaven, New York, on October 5, 1924, he attended Pratt Institute on a scholarship before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He received a Purple Heart for injuries received during battle in the South Pacific. Post-war, he completed his studies at the Fashion Academy in Manhattan. Mr. Bosand designed for several fashion designers before opening his own showroom and workplace on West 57th Street in Manhattan. After more than 40 years in the couture fashion business, he closed his 57th Street salon in 1986 to retire, dividing his time between his homes in New York City and Water Mill.
He was one of the city’s last privately owned couture designers with his own label. Survivors said his timeless and superbly constructed custom evening gowns were sold in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, as well as many smaller upscale women’s stores around the country, including Martha’s and Sara Fredericks of Palm Beach and New York. Many are currently being resold on the internet. His last big, one-man show was given by Saks at The Breakers in Palm Beach. Mr. Bosand’s clientele list ranged from such notables as First Lady Patricia Nixon and his close friend Anne Landers, to show business types as diversified as Dionne Warwick, June Carter Cash, Judy Collins and even Mae West in her later years, as well as many New York and Palm Beach socialites. He also did the wardrobes for 10 consecutive Miss Americas through the 1960s.
Survivors describe Mr. Bosand as a true gentleman and a generous person. He loved to entertain and decorate his Water Mill home for any special occasion with flower arrangements he would make from his beautiful garden, they said, adding that his home was often used as for fundraisers.
Mr. Bosand is survived by Jerry Yarnall, his life partner of 30 years; and by his nephews, Robert and John Powell and their families of Seaford; and niece Sandra Bosand Smith and her family of Virginia.
Arrangements were handled by the All Family Funeral Home and Crematory.
Memorial donations may be made to the Volen Center, 850 N. Congress Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33445, the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, or the Humane Society, www.humanesociety.org.
on Nov 22, 2013