The Girls Behind The Ladies
The Girls Behind The Ladies, Part 1
Rosellen Howell, “Zell” as she was often called, is the primary girl behind “The Ladies.”
In 1946, at the age of 17, she attended The Fashion Academy in New York City for one school year. Her work was stellar. Her grades superb. And her designs were lauded by professors and peers, alike.
When the first school year ended, Zell returned to her small, but vibrant, hometown of Shenandoah, Penn. She never went back to the academy. And no one knows exactly why. Maybe it was a financial issue. Perhaps being in “The Big City” was too overwhelming for her, or maybe she fell in love with a boy in her hometown and could not, at that time in history, make the choice to follow her talent as it might lead her.
What we do know is that she never designed or painted with such rich expression again in her life.
Sixty years later, American City Girl, Jessie Newburn, began to know Zell, her aunt, in ways never possible before. As Zell lived through the final stages of cancer, her life was exposed to Jessie and the others who cared for her. During her last few months, Zell’s fashion designs were brought out of old, faded folders and shown to friends and family visiting her. Overwhelmingly, people found them 
stunning and spellbinding.
Now, with the support of the family and the partnership of fellow American City Girl, Cherie Beck, Jessie has chosen to bring Zell’s art, dreams and vision to the public in the form of art products, such as note cards and prints.
Zell’s portfolio includes over 80 magnificent and unique images, seventeen of which are initially presented in the American City Girls’ Series 1 collection. What makes this art so astounding seems to be much more than just attractive, period fashion. We believe that each of The Ladies resonates with aspects of the “feminine essence” as it grows, changes and matures throughout a lifetime.
The faces – and the poses – vary wildly from sweet innocence, to fierce confidence, to those out of kilter and off balance, to scorching sexiness, to cool aloofness, to mysterious intent, to risk taking, to an unflappable presence of wisdom and poise.
American City Girls is honored to present Rosellen’s work, and, in tribute to her life, we hope it inspires you to bring your own unique gifts to the world.
Zell passed away peacefully on June 3, 2006.
The Girls Behind The Ladies, Part 2
The American City Girls are Jessie Newburn and Cherie Beck. They live only 7 minutes away from each other, yet 6 years ago travelled 3000 miles away to meet. They have been close friends, confidants, since that day.
American City Girls began with the decision to host house parties in our community as a way for us to meet more people. Here’s a peek into our social side: