Black Modest Cocktail Dress--anyone know about the labels?

L

Lucitebox

Registered Guest
I'm googled out! Does anyone know about this store (assuming it's defunct now) in Chicago called Gordon's? Here's the label and a couple shots of the dress.

<img src=http://www.lucitebox.com/itempics/2_29/06.jpg>

<img src=http://www.lucitebox.com/itempics/2_29/01.jpg>

<img src=http://www.lucitebox.com/itempics/2_29/04.jpg>

Any info on the store label or Grace Taylor is appreciated. I'm going to post this on the eBay board and see if anyone there knows about it...

Thanks!
 
Thanks so much. I've been on the fence about selling this for years! It fits me well. I just don't really need yet another black dress. (I can't believe I just typed those words.)

We'll see...maybe no one will buy it :)
 
Hi, Holly! I bet the Chicago Public Library could help you over the phone (or in e-mail).

Way to shoot black! I can see every detail.
 
Very sophisticated look, very niceI don't know anything about the store, but I have a lovely Grace Taylor black wool dress, which was, I believe, made in England. I did a bit of research on the Grace Taylor label when I got the dress, but if I recall, I didn't find much, other than a few mentions here & there. Clearly a nice, quality maker, but apparently either not very prolific or very well known. Probably another of those fine, but underappreciated, designers...

I'll see if I can find my dress and see if the label is the same. Interestingly enough, your Grace Taylor dress is very reminiscent of one of my favorite designers, Ben Barrack. He used a lot of "ribboning" look on seams and at waistlines, along with the bows. Chic, but not frilly or overdone.
 
Well I can tell you that the neighborhood the store was in might have been nice in the 50s but is quite rough these days. I live not too far away. I'm sure the store is long gone. My in-laws lived near there back in the 50's. I'll ask them if they remember the it. My mother-in-law is pretty good with this sort of thing.
 
Sorry to take so long to come back to this...I went out for dinner & drinks.

Connie--63rd and Halsted would be pretty rough now. I think the furthest I've been exploring is west of that around Ashland-ish and 95th (I guess that's almost in Beverly.)

Lynne--thanks for the info. I suspect it was a fairly good mid-price store based on the quality of this dress. It's nice and of high quality, but I don't think it was every a really, really pricey dress.

Anne--I think that "your" Grace Taylor is different because the WPL search indicated that this is a NY manufacturer. I don't know Ben Barrack. I should look it up--it sounds like just my thing because I love attention to details like those on this dress, but I don't like things that are too frilly. (I should say, I can't wear them due to... er...age constraints.:))

Ah, yes. MC--the liberry is the place to find this information. I'll have to call tomorrow. I'll let you know the outcome of that. (By the way, I have a quilt question for you, too, so I'll have to send you an email about that. I found a beauty today, but it needs re-doing of some sort and I don't know where to begin.)

Thanks, everyone! Good night. (I'm so ready for bed!)
 
I'll look for my Grace Taylor dress tomorrow. I'm pretty certain it's the same maker, because I believe the lettering on the label is the same or similar. And the dating on both would be the same general era. I saw the WPL number on your label, but that doesn't necessarily mean that this maker did not have some items manufactured overseas. It is/was not uncommon for makers to have things made in other places.
 
Anne--hi again! When you have a chance, I'd love to see it.

Yeah...you're right. I should know better than to think that the info the WPL site brings up is the gospel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top