Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Who Doesn't Love Lilli Ann? Part Deux

Adolph Schuman named his company, Lilli Ann, after his wife. Started in 1935 in San Francisco, Lilli Ann grossed over $7,000,000 in 1953. Lilli Ann suits and coats are still sought after today, especially those from the mid 1950s. See more Lilli Ann suits and coats here.

This 1955 suit is fashioned of a fabric called "Trouville", a blend of silk, mohair, and worsted. Check out the seaming on the collar, where the stripes are perfectly matched. Sold in 1955 for about $100.00 (about $814.00 in today's dollar.)

Also from 1955, this suit shows a brilliant use of pleats. Fashioned of a blend of silk, mohair, and worsted, the suit has Austrian crystal accents. Sold in 1955 for about $100.00 (about $814.00 in today's dollar.)

From 1954, this suit literally takes my breath away. The mohair blend fabric is accented with velvet panels. Came in gray with black or beige with brown. Sold in 1954 for about $100.00 (about $811.00 in today's dollar.)

From 1955, this ensemble consists of an empire waisted sheath dress and matching peplum jacket. Available in pink, blue, or beige, this was advertised as a "bride's costume". Sold in 1955 for about $100.00 (about $814.00 in today's dollar.)

From 1956, this suit is made of Sabine stripe fabric woven in France exclusively for Lilli Ann in beige, pink, and gray-blue. The asymmetric collar balances the pockets on the opposite side. Sold in 1956 for about $100.00 (about $802.00 in today's dollar.)

I currently have one Lilli Ann suit available at Couture Allure. This one dates a bit earlier than those shown above, but shows the same ingenious sense of design that flatters a woman's figure. Bargain priced at $175.00 due to some minor moth damage on one sleeve.