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Written by fuzzylizzie.com
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DAVID CRYSTAL
David Crystal was a manufacturer rather than a designer. The firm was started in 1906 by David Crystal, was was later headed by his son, Philip E. Crystal. By the early 1930s, the company was known for their women’s suits and coats. By the 1940s they had expanded into sportswear, and had become a leading producer of sporty ensembles – wrap skirts and blouses with matching shorts and shawls.
The company grew under the leadership of their chairman of the board, Vincent Draddy. Draddy had begun work at David Crystal in 1930 as a salesman.
From the 1940s and throughout the 1950s they made shirtwaist dresses and inexpensive suits. In 1957 they had a special line, “Christian Dior Junior designed for David Crystal.” They also produced a line design by French designer Carven. During the 1940s, Bill Blass worked for David Crystal in one of his first design jobs.
In 1952, David Crystal Company signed an agreement with Lacoste to import, and in 1966, to make Lacoste shirts and polo shirt dresses in the United States. David Crystal was also the owner of the Izod and Haymaker labels, and so the crocodile logo is seen on garments with quite a few different labels. These shirts and dresses were very fashionable in the middle 1960s and in the early 1980s, and came to typlify the “preppy” look.
In 1968 David Crystal, along with the other labels owned by the company, was sold to General Mills. The company became known as Crystal Brands, thought the David Crystal label was still used. The company closed in the mid 1990s.
See also: Lacoste
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from a late 1940s jacket
Courtesy of morning-glorious
from a 1950s jacket
Courtesy of thespectrum
from a mid 1960s dress
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1960s dress
Courtesy of alonesolo
from a late 1960s dress
Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com
from a late 1960s polo dress
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
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