Parnes, Paul

Paul Parnes dress company was formed in 1931 by Paul Parnes and his brother, Edward Parnes. The two came from a dress manufacturing family. Their father, Louis Parnes, first began making clothing in Manhattan in 1895. This original firm was the Kings County Net Waist Company and was later known as Samuel Parnes.

Paul Parnes started his own operation in 1922 and in 1927 he formed a partnership called Sadowsky, Lang and Parnes. A short time later the name was changed to Mary Lee. This company was eventually bought by Adele Simpson, who had been designing the line.

In 1931 Parnes left Mary Lee to form his namesake company. They manufactured “better” dresses. In 1964 the company brought out a lower-cost line, Paul Parnes, Ltd.

Written by fuzzylizzie

from an early 1950s dress

Courtesy of marian’s vintage vanities

from a 1950s dress

Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo

from a 1950s wool crepe beaded top

Courtesy of The Vintage Stylist