Ruffin, Clovis

Clovis Ruffin (1946-1992) started out to be a photographer, but realized he was more interested in the styles he was photographing than the photography.

His first designs were tee shirt dresses which he cut out himself, hiring a few ladies to do the sewing. He took his dresses to stores like Bloomingdales and before long, he had his own label. Established in 1972, he called it Ruffinwear. His forte continued to be tee shirt dresses and other casual dresses made from jersey knit.

Eventually Ruffin included a dressier line of clothing, as well as loungewear and handbags. A Coty Award Designer who was at his peak in the 1970’s, he died in 1992.

“I thought of clothes in the round, and I also thought of basic styles that would enable women to put the mark of their personality on them.” Clovis Ruffin, 1978.

Written by fuzzylizzie

from a late 1970s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a late 1970s wrap dress

Courtesy of catboxvintage

from a 1970s tee shirt dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a late 1970s/early 1980s nightgown

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from an early 1980s dress

Courtesy of bigchief173

from an early 1980s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1980s sweater

Courtesy of joules