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Archival Collections ➔ Archival Collection #247 - Glen of Michigan Advertising
Identifier:
2023.50.3Description:
The Glen of Michigan Advertising Collection contains promotional materials created by the clothing manufacturing company in the 1960s. The materials showcase fashion manufactured by the company in boldly designed and vibrantly colored advertisements. The company also published children’s storybooks that featured clothing made by the company as well as programs from New York theater productions where the company’s clothing was used to costume the shows. Award-winning American architect and fashion designer William "Bill" Atkinson (1916-1995) was the company’s main designer during this time period.Date:
1960 – 1970Current Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift of The Ohio State University, Historic Costume & Textiles CollectionRelated Entities:
Ohio State University (donor) Glen of Michigan (is related to)Lester Goldstein purchased the Manistee Garment Company in April 1950 and called it Glen of Michigan which went on to become one of the country’s leading manufacturers of women’s and children’s sportswear. The company ceased operations in the fall of 1981 but would later be occupied by other garment companies such as Swan Industries, Ltd. and Great Lakes Stitchery.
(Source: Manistee County Visitors Bureau) Bill Atkinson (is related to)
William "Bill" Atkinson (1916-1995) was an architect who got into the fashion business purely by accident. He made a square dance outfit for his wife from eight bandannas. The outfit was so popular that he started making them to sell. This venture was very successful, and he soon found a housedress maker, Glen Manufacturing, to make the skirt. This was in 1950. For twenty years, Glen of Michigan made Bill Atkinson’s casual sportswear designs. In 1974, Atkinson started a new line, Bill Atkinson, Ltd., which lasted until 1982 when it was sold to a Canadian firm, Highland Queen. "Bill won the Coty award in 1978 because his clothing was so exciting and well designed. We took over a bank space and built an amazing showroom at 512 Seventh Avenue. Bill retired from the business, moved to Westport, CT. He passed away at the age of 79 in 1995.” (Mrs. Jeanne Atkinson)
(Source: Vintage Fashion Guild)
