Category Archives: Retailing

Photograph of mannequin heads, c. 1930 by Peter Weller

Posted on 2018-10-31 by Jonathan

Peter Weller (1868-1940) lived in Berlin in the 1920s an 1930s where he worked as a fashion and portrait photographer. His work appeared in leading German magazines including: “Die Dame”, “Das Magazin”, and “UHU”. His studio and most of his … Continue reading →

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Casual Corner, 1950 – 2005

Posted on 2018-08-04 by Jonathan

Founded in 1950, Casual Corner was an American retail clothing chain that operated stores under the brand names of Casual Corner, Petite Sophisticate and August Max Woman. The women’s sportswear store, founded by Charles Carples and Stanley Vogel in West Hartford, Connecticut, … Continue reading →

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What fashion cost in 1926 – Men

Posted on 2018-03-10 by Jonathan

From the same 1926 Motion Picture Classic magazine series as Clara Bow’s oufit, comes this article with the breakdown for how Ramon Novarro’s evening suit cost $430.00 (not including shirt studs and cuff links, which could range in price from … Continue reading →

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Bullocks Wilshire Department Store

Posted on 2017-09-29 by Jonathan

Bullock’s was founded in 1907 in downtown Los Angeles by John G. Bullock. In 1929 an Art Deco branch on Wilshire Boulevard was opened that became known as Bullocks Wilshire. Bullock’s acquired I. Magnin, a high end San Francisco department … Continue reading →

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Buy From Jews!

Posted on 2017-05-24 by Jonathan

I have known Vancouver collector Claus Jahnke for 35 years now – from right around the time he first started collecting German and Austrian clothing. I can proudly say I have had a leading role in finding many of his best pieces and … Continue reading →

Posted in Museum Exhibitions, Other collections/museums, Retailing | 1 Comment

1956 mall footage

Posted on 2017-05-06 by Jonathan

Fascinating footage from 1956 of Southdale Minnesota’s Richfield Edina Shopping Mall. They claim to be the first enclosed mall in the world.

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Canadian Fashion Connection – Dry Goods and Style c. 1888-2008

Posted on 2017-03-21 by Jonathan

One of the best resources for Canadian fashion business history is the publication Style – not the online millennial fashion site, or the British fash mag, but the fashion trade publication that was in production for over a century. It’s origins … Continue reading →

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Store Windows – Musée Grévin, c. 1921

Posted on 2016-11-23 by Jonathan

Not really a store window but rather a tableau from the Parisian waxworks Musée Grévin of fashions, decorations, and furniture from an undated spring… I am guessing it’s probably 1921. The museum thought the clothes were by Poiret, and one of them … Continue reading →

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Canadian Fashion Connection – D. Gardner & Co., c. 1870 – 1890

Posted on 2016-11-13 by Jonathan

In preparation for our exhibition next year in honour of Canada’s Sesquicentennial, I am researching some of the more obscure Canadian labels in the collection and am starting with what may be the oldest. From the waistband of a black satin afternoon … Continue reading →

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Manic Panic “The first punk boutique in America”

Posted on 2016-11-07 by Jonathan

In 1973/74 Tish and Snooky Bellomo were aspiring singers from the Bronx hanging out in the glam rock/drag scene at places like Max’s Kansas City where David Bowie, Lou Reed and Debbie Harry of Blondie were regulars. Everybody loved the … Continue reading →

Posted in Retailing, Vintage clothing | 2 Comments