Van Raalte of Canada

Since I live in Canada, I occasionally come across a Van Raalte piece that says Made in Canada on the label. Up until now every piece has been a relatively recent, 70s or 80s nightgown or peignoir set, but yesterday I found a 60s slip with a different Made in Canada tag.


I've actually been questioned by a customer as to whether this is the same Van Raalte company, so I did a trademark search on the Canada CIPO website:

VAN RAALTE COMPANY, INC.417 Fifth AvenueNew York, New York UNITED STATES OF AMERICA filed for the trademark "Van Raalte" in Canada on 1945-01-29 (claimed first use of trademark in Canada 1935). As of 1995 the trademark is registered to owner Warnaco U.S., Inc.and is still active (as far as I know it is no longer in use).

TAFFEKNIT

If you like the SWISHY sound of nylon taffeta, look no further than Van Raalte's TAFFEKNIT. This wonderful fabric has a subtle sheen and the crisp unmistakable sexy swish of taffeta. The Van Raalte company registered the trademark for this fabric in May 1968, but it was in use by the company as early as March 25th, 1963.



A gorgeous topaz blue Taffeknit full slip with ecru lace, available at Empress Jade Vintage

Van Raalte Labels & Tags

Van Raalte Label Archive

We are looking for tag and label samples from early Van Raalte pieces ( pre 1950's), so please contact us if you have any in your collection.

Tag from a late 40s or early 50s Van Raalte Myth nightgown.


Tag from a Stryps rayon nightgown. Originally declared as a 40s nightgown, but I'm thinking this tag looks newer and I can't see the VR font, so dating by tag is impossible. The Stryps line was advertised until the late 1960s.

Antron Suavette from a late 50s slip or very early 60s slip. Note: Dupont registered Antron in 1960, but declared first use in commerce as Nov 1959. Tag photo courtesy of Rosemary Productions

Tag from a 1950s FABULACE full slip

Tag from 1950s Opaquelon crystal pleat half slip

Tag from a 60s lace full slip. NOTE: the font changed sometime in the early 60s. In 1960 advertisements they are still using the old font and by 1962 all ads were using the new scrolled font. I can't find any 1961 ads, but we can assume they changed over sometime in 61 / 62.

Van Raalte of Canada tag taken from a 60s full slip

Tag from a late 70s early 80s nightgown, courtesy of Pinupdresses

Van Raalte TIMELINE

This is a work in progress, so if you have any additional information, or if you see any errors please let us know.

• 1902 or 1907 (conflicting dates at to start of company on VR family website) - Emanuel and Zealie Van Raalte start E. & Z. VAN RAALTE COMPANY in New York City 
• 1910 - First American made veiling produced in a new factory built by Van Raaltes' in Lakeview, NJ
• 1913   - accrording to the US trademark database this logo was first in use 1913

• 1918
  Van Raalte Silk Mills takes over Niagara Silk Mills who are known for their "Niagara Maid" line of gloves, stockings and underwear.
• 1927 "Because you love nice things" advertizing campaign starts
• 1937 - The Van Raalte Mill in Boonton NJ manufactures the first fully fashioned nylon stockings as part of the testing process for Duponts new nylon fiber.
• 1938 - E. I. du Pont de Nemours (Dupont) announces the invention of nylon to the public.
• 1939 - Dupont promotes nylon at the NY World's Fair.
• 1940, 15 May - "N" DAY declared by Dupont. Nylon stockings first go on sale and 5 million pairs are sold in a single day!
• 1941, 26 July - US Government bans use of silk except for military use.
• 1945 - Van Raalte counterfeit "nylon" stockings are sold by profiteers and company gets complaints.
• 1977 - Kellwood Company acquires the US rights to the Van Raalte brand of women's hosiery and bodywear
• 1994 - Warnarco acquired Van Raalte trademark for apparel sold to Sears Roebuck
• 1995 - Sears announces their exclusive Van Raalte Lingerie to be sold in their stores