Davidson's Indianapolis?

onceoza

onceoza

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You all have been so helpful to me that I'm hoping you can come through again. I have this jumpsuit with a fringe skirt that only has a Davidson's Indianapolis label. No maker, fabric care, or size label. Looks discoish to me. Googling Davidson's only comes up with the Harley dealers.

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I am researching Davidson's as part of my work at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. From what I can tell so far, Davidson's is an Indianapolis-based clothing retailer. It was founded by Joe and Sarah Davidson in downtown Indianapolis sometime before 1930 (conflicting reports claim alternately before 1905 and in 1927) as Davidson's Indiana Fur Company (also referred to as Davidson's Furs and the Indiana Fur Co. Inc.).

By the late 1960s, it was owned by brothers Fred and Herb Davidson, who boasted top-of-the-line designers. Sometime before the late 1960s, the company had branched out into high-end women's fashions. In the late 1960s, Joan Davidson was the buyer for clothing merchandise and Herb and Fred purchased the furs (according to a 1968 article in The Indiana Jewish Post). Nellie Davidson (Fred's wife) later owned and was president of the store.

Davidson's moved outside of the downtown area to the Glendale Mall from about 1959, and remained in that mall until about 1994, when it moved to the Fashion Mall, both in Indianapolis. I believe it was still open as of 2001 and is no longer in business, though I have not yet been able to confirm a closing date.

Attached is a Davidson's label from a late 1960s Halston dress (IMA 80.267) in the Indianapolis Museum of Art's fashion arts collection.

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That is a nice find. I can't get a really good look at the details in your photo. Can you try for some close up photos?

I get a sense it is pre Disco, more late 60s early 70s rock era. Can you tell a little about the fabric? Is it a polyester, a knit, a crepe, etc?
 
Wow was just looking online about the same store, I have several items still from them they belonged to my grandma. She was the top model for Davidson' back in the day and for the Indy 500.
We lived right by the Glendale store inalways would hear stories about her modeling putting her thru college way back then haha..
Her favorite story about wearing a green mink coat on st patty day for a ad and them dying her hair green! That was so very new and a big deal back then the way she told it.
My grandma knew so many famous people from that era all from modeling and then later being offered a big job in auto racing and car dealerships, where she went on to become a big self made real state tycoon for a woman! Something not heard of in the early 60s late 50s.. all her fame and from that old and famous store.. She use to tell me people in Hollywood would even order their designs back then..
 
Hi, I was getting ready to post a vintage jumpsuit on Poshmark from Davidson’s and did a Google search to see if I could find any info and saw your post!
 

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Jennifer Ward said:
My grandparents were Fred and Nellie Davidson. I am doing some research on my family and their routes in Indianapolis and would love to connect with anyone who knows anything about the store especially in the earlier years. Thank you.
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Oh how fantastic! Its so amazing the reach of the vintage fashion guild and so lovely when we have family members illuminating the history.
 
GemGem said:
Oh how fantastic! Its so amazing the reach of the vintage fashion guild and so lovely when we have family members illuminating the history.
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My email is [email protected] if anyone wants to connect about Davidsons. my mom who was the buyer for the store for many years, Joan Davidson Abend Lives close to me, and could probably answer more questions. I could connect you
 
I grew up seeing Davidsons stores but never went in too young at the time. I just bought a beautiful Davidsons coat online.
I absolutely love everything vintage, especially pieces from local stores. Would love to see any photos or hear any stories.
 
B shedd said:
Wow was just looking online about the same store, I have several items still from them they belonged to my grandma. She was the top model for Davidson' back in the day and for the Indy 500.
We lived right by the Glendale store inalways would hear stories about her modeling putting her thru college way back then haha..
Her favorite story about wearing a green mink coat on st patty day for a ad and them dying her hair green! That was so very new and a big deal back then the way she told it.
My grandma knew so many famous people from that era all from modeling and then later being offered a big job in auto racing and car dealerships, where she went on to become a big self made real state tycoon for a woman! Something not heard of in the early 60s late 50s.. all her fame and from that old and famous store.. She use to tell me people in Hollywood would even order their designs back then..
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This is so interesting. Do you happen to have any pictures of your grandma when she modeled for them? Or would you mind posting pictures of the clothes I would love to see them.
 
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