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Clothing and Accessories
Women's Clothing ➔ Dress
Identifier:
208098Description:
This black dress is made of shantung and is sleeveless. There is an attached cape over the shoulders that is trimmed with net and velvet and there is velvet trim on the front of the waist. A metal Talon zipper can be seen on the proper left side of the waist. This dress was purchased by the donor at the shop of Alice Jane Dows in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Features that are indicative of the 1950s are the fitted bodice, the side seam zipper, and the neckline.Date:
circa 1950Materials:
Shantung, Net, VelvetCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift Of Barbara VoshelRelated Entities:
Barbara Voshel (donor) Alice Jane Dows (creator)In 1943 Alice Jane Lobbezoo Dows acquired the Grand Rapids furrier business Rason and Dows which opened in 1903. The business was then moved to Fulton Street at Jefferson Avenue. In 1975 the business was bought by Larry Leigh who moved it to 60 Monroe Avenue Northwest. The business continued under a new name and leadership until its closure in 2011. Talon International, Incorporated (is related to)
Alternate names: Talon, Talon Zipper, Universal Fastener Company
Talon International, Inc., sometimes referred to as Talon Zipper was founded in Chicago in 1893 as the Universal Fastener Company. The company moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania and thrived in the zipper business, due to being the first zipper manufacturing company. In 1968 the company was acquired by Textron and faced many difficulties. The Japanese company YKK was also producing quality zippers but for less money which caused the company's market share to fall to 35% by 1981. In 1981, the company was sold to Nucor Holdings. Production was moved to Mexico but the company still suffered. In 1996 the Universal Fastener Company was acquired by Tag-It-Pacific. Production moved to Asia and in 2007 the company name was changed to Talon International, Incorporated.
