Van Raalte

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The Van Raalte Company was founded by brothers Emanuel and Zealie Van Raalte in 1913. Originally known as the E & Z Van Raalte Co., they were makers of fine gloves, nylon stockings, and lingerie. The brothers sold their interest in the business in 1927, but the name lived on to become well-known for the signature fabrics and treatments they developed and patented in the 1940s-60s, including Opaquelon, Fabulace, Petalskin, Suavette and Philmy. By 1968 the company had 16 lingerie factories and annual business worth $72 million. In 1970, Van Raalte was bought by Cluett, Peabody & Co (the Arrow shirt company), and by 1974 the business reported an annual loss of $11 million. Eventually the company was sold to Warnaco.

Written by fuzzylizzie

from a 1950s slip - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage
from a 1950s slip
Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage
from a 1950s nightgown - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage
from a 1950s nightgown
Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage
from an early 1960s bra & panty girdle set - Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo
from an early 1960s bra & panty girdle set
Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo
from a late 1960s negligee (hangtag) - Courtesy of Chezmov
from a late 1960s negligee (hangtag)
Courtesy of Chezmov
from a late 1960s negligee - Courtesy of Chezmov
from a late 1960s negligee
Courtesy of Chezmov
from a 1970s hostess gown - Courtesy of endlessalley
from a 1970s hostess gown
Courtesy of endlessalley
from a pair of 1978 lined vinyl gloves - Courtesy of stellarose
from a pair of 1978 lined vinyl gloves
Courtesy of stellarose
from a 1980s nightgown - Courtesy of pinupdresses
from a 1980s nightgown
Courtesy of pinupdresses

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