BILL ATKINSON

Bill Atkinson was an architect who got into the fashion business purely by accident. He made a square dance outfit for his wife from eight bandanas. 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 sportwear designs. In 1973, Atkinson started a new line, Bill Atkinson, Ltd., which lasted until the early 1980s.

 

from a 1950s dress
courtesy of coutureallure.com

from a 1960s sundress
Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from a late 1970s blouse
Courtesy of  fuzzylizzie.com