Age of this coat

No, no. I am not saying his name would not be on a label in 1964. I am saying that I think the label may have been different because it was Bernat Klein Limited and he did not solely own it but maybe the label did just say Bernat Klein. I guess he wouldn't have had to use the same label for his new company either or maybe he did.

 

No. You're right. Bernat Klein Limited could have made this label sometime from 62-66 for coats with his wool. This label may or may not even be the label Bernat used for his business created in 1966.

 

Yes, some sources say that he provided his wools to couture designers before he established Bernat Klein but with that new information that I provided from his bibliography it shows that between 1962-1966 his fabric was sold to outlets, Marks & Spencer's, and others so it would make sense that his fabric would have been sold to Cotsmoor during that time too.

I agree. Good discussion. All in the spirit of learning, sharing, and discussing this beautiful vintage coat made from Bernat Klein's fine wool.

 

just one last thing, and i only just realised this, we are forgetting that there must have been, no there definately was, a market for the older more conservative ladies, clothes weren't only made for the fine young things of the day. not everything would have been shorter lengths and from what i can remember of Marshall and Snelgrove, they did cater for the older more conservative lady, it was that sort of store. fashions are so different now with all ages shopping from the same stores, and wearing the same designs but it wasn't like it back then, "in the olden days" as my son says!

lorraine

 

What a lovely coat. I think of a vintage ad of a lady getting out of a cab with her arms full of Christmas packages.
So pretty.

 

I just wanted to show what I found. The designer was Nina Ricci but the wool was Bernat Klein, the Woolmark Company is noted, and the date of the photo was 1964.

 

Great Sleuthing Caryn! The University/college websites really do collect the best data sometimes. The coat on that photo looks longer, how long is your coat TreasureSeeker?

 

Yes, I had read that as well yesterday which is why I thought the labels from Bernat Klein Limited and Bernat Klein must have been different at least between 66 and 68 when both companies existed at the same time. The only label I have seen other than the label shown for this wool coat though was the 80s label which also says Bernat Klein. It could have been decided that he was going to get to go on using his name when Bernat Klein Limited changed their name but what label did Bernat Klein Limited use prior to the switch being made during that transition? Could both companies have been using Bernat Klein labels? It might not have made a difference in regards to the wool used for if this coat does if it dates to 1964 because it would have been made before Bernat Klein resigned from Bernat Klein Limited.

 

Awesome. I suppose they could have had more than one label too. I wonder if there was a Gibson & Lumgair label out there prior to the Bernat Klein Limited company name being changed.

 

Wow, very interesting. If I had to guess I would guess that when Bernat started his company Bernat Klein Design Limited he did so because he probably wanted to use his name but neither he nor the still existing Bernat Klein Limited wanted to be associated as being the same company. Then after, when his old partnership company Bernat Klein Limited changed their name to Gibson & Lugmair in 1968 it allowed Bernat to rename his company from Bernat Klein Design Limited to the original name Bernat Klein Limited in 1969 as the name was no longer being used.

 

Great research ladies.

I agree with Ruth on a circa '64-65 date although Lorraine is right about this possibly being a conservative style for an older lady made in the late '60s to early '70s - traces of the modern age tend to seep through in those cases though, and all the style and fabric elements suggest a mid '60s date to me.

 

I just found this thread when searching for information on Cotsmoor, as I have a coat that I believe to be late '50s to early '60s - it's wonderful quality. Here it is:

And wanted to add that I agree with Lorraine - and to prove it here is a coat that I dated as early '60s but the labels (which I have yet to add to the listing) prove it to be '70s - it does have a sizeable collar but not the sort we generally associate with this era.