Founded 1969 by Robert Lurie in Boston, Mass. Susan Bristol, Inc. was a popular wholesaler, distributor and importer of embellished knitwear and traditional ladies sportswear and dresses. It’s heyday was the 1980s to early 2000s, when the line was carried in over 1000 shops and department stores throughout the US.
The 1989 trademark registration notes: “The Name “Susan Bristol” is not intended to indicate any particular living individual. For women’s apparel, namely dresses, skirts, blouses, sweaters, jackets and trousers. First use – 9/1/1970; in commerce 9/1/1970”.
Mr. Lurie stayed with the company as president, then CEO and finally Chairman, until it was sold in 2006 to Art Henkens with Capital Factors. While there are still active registrations for the company, it does not seem to have been active since the late 2000s. In 2007, a number of additional trademarks held by the corporation were canceled. These included: Fisher Hill, Concepts Exclusively for Susan Bristol, Colana, SB Collection, Softwear, Do Anything, Bristol, Suzy Bee By Susan Bristol, Susie B., and Bristol Ltd.
Robert Lurie died in 2018.
Written by Hollis Jenkins-Evans
