The Van Raalte Company was founded by brothers Emanuel and Zealie Van Raalte in 1913. Originally known as the E & Z Van Raalte Co., they were makers of fine gloves, nylon stockings, and lingerie. The brothers sold their interest in the business in 1927, but the name lived on to become well-known for the signature fabrics and treatments they developed and patented in the 1940s-60s, including Opaquelon, Fabulace, Petalskin, Suavette and Philmy. By 1968 the company had 16 lingerie factories and annual business worth $72 million. In 1970, Van Raalte was bought by Cluett, Peabody & Co (the Arrow shirt company), and by 1974 the business reported an annual loss of $11 million. Eventually the company was sold to Warnaco.
Written by fuzzylizzie
