The First Lady of Underfashions which is a dynamic memoir written by Christina Erteszek, with excerpts from her parents’ Jan and Olga’s private papers — a true family saga. It is a complex, layered, and nuanced story that bridges the violence of war, the innovation of thought, the singularity of religion, the quest for identity, and the intrigues and intricacies of family life. The nonfiction saga-like memoir written by Christina Erteszek includes excerpts from her parents’ (Jan and Olga) unpublished memoirs. It is a complex, layered, and nuanced story that bridges the violence of war, the innovation of thought, the singularity of religion, the quest for identity, and the intrigues and intricacies of family life. Jan and Olga escape from World War II Europe and arrive in the US with just a few dollars. They turn their paltry savings into a multi-million-dollar fashion business. Olga becomes a leading patent holder of female lingerie, a trendsetter in the industry, and is widely known for her innovative business tactics. But as this husband-and-wife team think of retiring, they decide to merge with another fashion company, which proves to be a fatal move when a loophole in the agreement allows for a hostile takeover. This is also a story of a daughter’s need to find herself. Along her path to self-discovery, she discovers her parents have many secrets, some of which will never be revealed.
This is an excerpt…
Christina Erteszek grew up knowing everything possible about ladies’ underwear. But what she didn’t know about her parents, the founders of The Olga Company, the lingerie maker, could fill a book–literally.
Jan and Olga escape from World War II Europe and arrive in the US with just a few dollars. They turn their paltry savings into a multi-million-dollar fashion business. Olga becomes a leading patent holder of female lingerie, a trendsetter in the industry, and is widely known for her innovative business tactics. But as this husband-and-wife team think of retiring, they decide to merge with another fashion company, which proves to be a fatal move when a loophole in the agreement allows for a hostile takeover. This is also a story of a daughter’s need to find herself. Along her path to self-discovery, she discovers her parents have many secrets, some of which will never be revealed.
Christina Erteszek came of age during the tumultuous 60s and 70s, where her fiercely independent spirit at times meant rebelling against her parents’ old-World values in order to make her own way. She resisted repeated pleas to join the company, instead opting to earn a degree in special education and teach at-risk youth in Los Angeles. To appease her beloved father, Christina finally joined the company in the late 1970s, working her way up to designer where her creativity and innate design sense led to the creation of her own label, the award-winning Olga’s Christina.
Her parents’ closest confidante, Christina was a pivotal player in the company’s evolution to meet the rapidly changing face of fashion in America. Sadly, she was also an observer to the gut-wrenching events that led to the company’s hostile takeover in the mid-1980s. On a sunny afternoon in spring 1986, Christina was driving her then-ailing father down the Palisades bluffs toward Santa Monica Bay. They often took long drives together, yet this outing proved significant. Her father’s final wish was for Christina to write a book about his and Olga’s experiences.
The request was daunting. She felt her father should be the one to tell his story. At her core, though, Christina was a creator and relished this personal challenge. Like a garment designer, she thoughtfully selected pieces of her parents’ journey and of her own personal and professional life – lovingly stitching together fragile memories, courageous crossroads, hidden scars and buried family secrets. The result is The First Lady of Underfashions, a layered and poignant memoir written with love and honesty.
Throughout her life, Christina has had a passion for philanthropy. Her family’s foundation has supported a range of nonprofits whose missions emphasized strengthening communities through the arts, education and mindful practices. She is the co-founder and board chair of Durango PlayFest, a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to celebrating live theatre and the art of playwrighting. Christina lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her husband and dog Blu, a loyal hiking partner. Currently Christina is working on a novel.
