KAY WINDSOR

The Kay Windsor label was formed in 1940 by the Kay Windsor Frocks company of Boston, Massachusetts.  They were a maker of moderately priced dresses.  In 1954 Kay Windsor Frocks produced a line of "Private Secretary" dresses in conjunction with a popular television program of the same name.  The star of the show, Ann Sothern, was featured in the dress advertisements, saying "a dress chosen especially for you by Ann Sothern."

Kay Windsor was bought by Vanity Fair in 1971 as part of that company's plan to expend into women's knitwear.  At that time Kay Windsor was making five lines of dresses and women's sportswear.

In 1977 Vanity Fair had an agreement with JC Penney, in which Kay Windsor dresses were sold under the Penney's label, but sales were poor.  In 1982 the Kay Windsor division was discontinued by Vanity Fair.