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The Donnelly Garment Company in Kansas City manufactured the Nelly Don line of women’s apparel. Nell Donnelly Reed began designing and sewing housedresses in 1916 and sold to the George B. Peck Dry Goods Company. In 1931 she became the owner of the Donnelly Garment Company in Kansas City.

Ms. Reed led the company through the Great Depression and WWII. Her company was known for excellent working conditions and benefits, including group hospitalization and tuition money for employees and their families. In 1937 the company’s new building became the first in Kansas City with air conditioning.

During WWII the company produced several types of uniforms for the Army and Women’s Air Corps. Annual revenues reached $14 million by 1945.

Nell Donnelly Reed retired in 1956, and the company changed its name to Nelly Don, Inc. Clothing was manufactured through the 1960s and 1970s. Fabric was added to the product line in the 1970s, but the company filed for bankruptcy in 1978.

Written by coutureallure.com


from a 1930s dress - Courtesy of fuzzielizzie.com

from a 1930s dress

Courtesy of fuzzielizzie.com

back of 1930s label - Courtesy of listitcafe

back of 1930s label

Courtesy of listitcafe

from a late-1930s day dress - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a late-1930s day dress

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1940s two-piece dress - Courtesy of damngoodvintage

from a 1940s two-piece dress

Courtesy of damngoodvintage

from an early-1950s coatdress - Courtesy of coutureallure,con

from an early-1950s coatdress

Courtesy of coutureallure,con

from an early-1960s romper - Courtesy of gaildavid

from an early-1960s romper

Courtesy of gaildavid

from a 1960s brocade suit - Courtesy of hollie point vintage

from a 1960s brocade suit

Courtesy of hollie point vintage

from a late-1960s shift dress - Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from a late-1960s shift dress

Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from a 1970s dress - Courtesy of hatfeathers

from a 1970s dress

Courtesy of hatfeathers

from a late-1960s mod-influenced dress - Courtesy of vintagevoyager

from a late-1960s mod-influenced dress

Courtesy of vintagevoyager