The Villager was started as a blouse company, though they soon were making other separates and sleepwear. The company was started by the Raab family of Philadelphia — brothers Norman and Max and Max’s wife Mary Jones Raab. Information is conflicting, but the Villager label probably dates from 1956.
They started making solid-color button-down shirts, but Mary Raab was soon designing the signature prints that made Villager famous. Soon the blouse was joined in production by a shirtdress and more products were added as the company grew in popularity.
Villager was known for their small prints, commonly in shades of one color on white. The shirts and shirt-dresses often had a Peter Pan collar and short roll-up sleeves. Starting in 1963 the lead designer at Villager was Mildred Orrick.
Villager also had a junior line called Ladybug. In 1969 the Raabs sold The Villager. It was owned first by Russ Togs, then by Jonathan Logan. Max Raab went on to establish JG Hook in 1974.
See also Max Raab
Written by fuzzylizzie
from a 1960s dress
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1960s shift dress
Courtesy of MagsRags
