Edith Bouvier Beale c. 1935

Original photo is torn, and reads
"Schuyler We(dding), Labor (day)"

Most people know of Edith Bouvier Beale as "Little Edie" through the 1975 documentary, Grey Gardens, by Albert and David Maysles. The film focuses on her life during her later years, when she had returned to care for and live with her mother at Grey Gardens, the family's decaying East Hampton estate.

Less is known about Little Edie's earlier days, when, as the oldest daughter of the Beale family, her beauty, self confidence and charm established her as the "IT" girl of East Hampton and New York during the 1930's and 40's. Little Edie was a gorgeous and accomplished young woman with a wonderful sense of style and creativity.

Known in town as, "Body Beautiful Beale," Little Edie was also very athletic. Growing up in a large house in East Hampton just around the corner from the beach gave her easy access to swimming in the ocean and spending time outdoors during the warm weather. As she entered society, she had her debut at the Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York in 1936, attended glamorous parties, modeled haute couture fashion, and was escorted by world renowned beaux. It is Little Edie's unique style and creativity as well as the fashion of her time that Grey Gardens Collections celebrates today.

Eva Marie Beale, family member and founder of Grey Gardens Collections, has combed through family photographs, diaries, letters and poetry of Little Edie. Her book, Edith Bouvier Beale of Grey Gardens, A Life in Pictures, provides a glimpse into the intimate and enchanting world of Edith Bouvier Beale, a privilege that until recently, few others have had.

World traveler, collector and artist in her own right, Eva combines her love for Little Edie’s eclectic style with her own fabulous design sense and passion for treasure hunting at flea markets all over the world. Eva has produced a collection of vintage fabric, one-of-a-kind vintage-style jewelry, and handmade journals with plans of expanding to additional products in the near future.

Eva Marie Beale's Grey Gardens Collections pulls its inspiration from Little Edie’s styles of the past and her life at Grey Gardens giving it a current twist and relevance for today's fashions.