my fascination with vintage focuses on so many decades…but particularly the coats of the 50’s & 60’s…and of course…any lilli ann fits in that category…the coats & suits were amazing…and to this day are pieces that many vintage lovers look for…including me…
for those that don’t know about lilli ann…here is a great descripton taken from the vintage fashion guild website…
Lilli Ann was started in San Francisco in 1933 by Adolph Schuman, naming his company for his wife, Lillian. The company became known for their beautiful, elaborately designed suits and coats.
After WWII, Schuman went to France and it was during this time that the labels had “Paris” added to them. While in France, Schuman was buying fabrics, and many of the labels in Lilli Ann designs also contain the name of the French factory that made the fabric.
Many of these fabrics were bought from small textile companies that were in such financial straits after the war that they were in danger of closing. Schuman bought from these small companies, and was thus credited with saving many of them from financial ruin. For his efforts Schuman was awarded medals from both France and Italy, and the Lilli Ann customer got a suit made of high quality, hand-loomed fabric.
In the 1960s, there was a popular Lilli Ann Knits line, and a mod-inspired London line. The 1970s brought a career look for Lilli Ann. Adolph Schuman died in 1985, but the company continued under the direction of his heirs. The company was sold in the 1990s, and was closed by 2000.
so…the other day…i went over to my mamacita’s house…i wanted her to fix one of my dresses (she is an excellent seamstress)…while i was chit chatting with the papacito…as we were standing over her…i playfully said “are we going to make you nervous by standing over you and watching?” and her answer shocked me…she says…”oh no…i remember when i worked at lilli ann…” of course i didn’t hear the rest of what she said…because i couldn’t believe this little factoid about my mamacita that somehow i never knew…
what? you worked at lilli ann? she then started telling me stories about working in the factory…the collars she had to make for the beautiful coats…and on and on…then she told me…that she even brought me a few times with her to work…
be still my heart…i was in the factory amongst beautiful lilli ann suits & coats! and i never knew it…so while my connection is rather small…i feel my love for this era…had to start somewhere…could i have picked up on this gorgeousness way back when i was but a wee child? who knows…
but my search for lilli ann will never cease…
