Confusing label on Heinzelmann Orchidee bathing suit

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Coco Larue

Registered Guest
I am trying to figure out the approximate age of this Heinzelmann bikini which appears to be a 60s based on style and color. However the swimsuit (which contains Lycra and is therefore post 1958) contains an international tag which shows European sizing from 3 countries plus the USA. I know their Orchidee line started in the 40s or 50s but I wouldn't expect to see all of this size conparison information on a 60s tag. It seems like something that would be on a much later garment. I couldn't find any sources that show whether or not the company is still in business or when it ended. If not 60s then 80s would be the next guess based on the hot pink color and the style of the tag. However this screams 60s to me. It is an amazing suit with transparent mesh cutouts. Thanks for any insight!
 

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Original poster here. I had been searching for Heinzelmann but not orchidee. There are very few Heinzelmann posts but I see now lots of more modern swimsuits on a search for Orchidee. I'll see what I can find
 
If it was 60s it should say "West Germany" rather than Germany, I believe. Also you can measure it to see how the sizing matches up - a 1960s 12 would be considerably smaller than a modern one.
 
That is a good point. I'll measure. Also I finally found a link on the history of the company:
whitearkitekter.com

Heinzelmann Areal, Reutlingen, Germany | White Arkitekter

The former clothes factory Heinzelmann that used to be the centre of life and the source of livelihood for generations in the German city of Reutlingen, is today a cultural heritage site being transformed. By 2026 the area will become a sustainable mixed-use district with 87 homes, gastronomy...
whitearkitekter.com whitearkitekter.com
According to this link it was founded in 1890 and ceased production "almost a hundred years" later. So anything Heinzelmann would be no later than the 1990. However I see that their are still Pucci bathing suits being marketed as "orchidee" with the Heinzelmann H logo so maybe they licensed the name out?
 
I'm in Switzerland, but have never heard of this brand before. According to a post from a local German museum, they also say the company was disbanded in 1990. So I would guess this bathing suit is from the tail end of the company's existence. I agree, before the fall of the Berlin Wall, it would have said "Made in West Germany".
I can't see any current bathing suits by this company when I do a search, so I am not sure what you are seeing.
 
Thank you.
Midge said:
I'm in Switzerland, but have never heard of this brand before. According to a post from a local German museum, they also say the company was disbanded in 1990. So I would guess this bathing suit is from the tail end of the company's existence. I agree, before the fall of the Berlin Wall, it would have said "Made in West Germany".
I can't see any current bathing suits by this company when I do a search, so I am not sure what you are seeing.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Yes I think leaning towards 80s now. I found a listing for some "monsieur orchidee" 80s swim trunks (no pic of the label) and they have the same molded plastic gold "H" for the Heinzelmann attached to the front of the trunk as my bathing suit so assuming their dating is correct I think mine is 80s too. Plus I thought the cut-outs were a little risque for the 60s
 
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