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