Ben Kahn fur

InBeetween Vintage Co.

InBeetween Vintage Co.

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Has anyone seen anything like this? It is a fur reversible vest, Ben Kahn label, very soft with a swirl like pattern. I have researched Ben Kahn but can not find anything about vests he did. I am not sure how to describe or price it on my etsy shop. Any help appreciated.
Lena
InBeetween Vintage Co.
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It looks like American processed broadtail lamb. It also looks like it may be contemporary. Can you please show the reverse side and the label?
 
Ok, I think this is a bit earlier than what I originally thought and the lamb doesn't look like American processed broadtail lamb which is longer and sheared so the curl is no longer present. Now that I see the green side it looks like Persian lamb or curly lamb.

In found an article in New York magazine from November 20th, 1978 that mentions Ben Kahn II which was run by the son of Ben Kahn had a young designer Rosette Arons turning out reversible lamb coats, crocheted furs, and crazy vests so I think your vest probably dates somewhere around there.
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I also read an obituary that said Ben Kahn died in 1976 so I assume that his son changed the name after making it Ben Kahn II.
http://www.nytimes.com/1976/02/06/archives/ben-kahn-furrier-dies-fashion-leader-was-89.html
 
Caryn,
Thank you for your in depth research. That gives me a good place to start, I'm definitely going to look more into Ben Kahn II and the Persian vs. American lamb. It looks like I can probably date it to the 70s, I was just surprised when I couldn't find another one on the internet to go off of. Off to research!
Lena
 
You're welcome. I do think you can safely date it to the late 70's. It could be early 80's but you have info. stating she started making reversible furs and crazy vests in 78' right there.
The label itself is one that would have been used at that time too.

You can read a little bit more about the various types of lamb in our fur resource section.
http://vintagefashionguild.org/fur-resource/lamb-sheep/
 
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