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Van Raalte

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

 

from a pair of 1920s silk stockings

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

from a 1950s nightgown

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1950s slip

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from an early 1960s bra & panty girdle set

Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo

hangtag from a late 1960s negligee

Courtesy of Chezmov

from a late 1960s negligee

Courtesy of Chezmov

from a 1970s hostess gown

Courtesy of endlessalley

from a pair of 1978 lined vinyl gloves

Courtesy of stellarose

from a 1980s nightgown

Courtesy of pinupdresses