Miss Dorby Dress Age
- Thread starter Kathy Martin
- Start date
Kathy Martin
Registered Guest
Karen's Fashion Backward Shop
VFG Member
I realize this is an old post, but I have a question about it.
The Dorby company made Miss Dorby label clothing beginning in the late 1950s.
Wouldn't the same RN - 17638, which is a fairly early one - have been used previous to the Kellwood aquisition in 2000?
Wouldn't it be the same for both Dorby Company and Kellwood?
I ask because I have a Miss Dorby blouse with the same RN and it is definitely 80s, not 2000 or later.
And on the tag, it's not even referred to as an RN, but as a WPL, which isn't used anymore except for wool products. And the blouse is polyester!
The Dorby company made Miss Dorby label clothing beginning in the late 1950s.
Wouldn't the same RN - 17638, which is a fairly early one - have been used previous to the Kellwood aquisition in 2000?
Wouldn't it be the same for both Dorby Company and Kellwood?
I ask because I have a Miss Dorby blouse with the same RN and it is definitely 80s, not 2000 or later.
And on the tag, it's not even referred to as an RN, but as a WPL, which isn't used anymore except for wool products. And the blouse is polyester!
Karen's Fashion Backward Shop
VFG Member
An AI search engine gave this answer, based on information from the Federal Trade Commission website:
"The RN is tied to the company, not the product or a specific sale. If a company sells, the RN remains with the new owners as long as the business continues to operate under the same legal entity and maintains the same business activities."
That seems to imply that Dorby Company could have had the 17638 RN before Kellwood bought them out. That's also supported by the fact that Kellwood's RN on its more modern brands is 102803.
Anyway, I think the original poster may have been given inaccurate information about the possible age of her dress.
"The RN is tied to the company, not the product or a specific sale. If a company sells, the RN remains with the new owners as long as the business continues to operate under the same legal entity and maintains the same business activities."
That seems to imply that Dorby Company could have had the 17638 RN before Kellwood bought them out. That's also supported by the fact that Kellwood's RN on its more modern brands is 102803.
Anyway, I think the original poster may have been given inaccurate information about the possible age of her dress.
Vintorious
VFG Member
As already noted, this is a more modern dress in the style of a 60s shift dress. In addition to the care instructions, the back kick vent is a much more recent style detail. Most 60s shift dresses I've come across don't have one (not really needed as skirt lengths rose). Earlier shift style dresses have a closed kick pleat. It's a very pretty dress, regardless!
Karen's Fashion Backward Shop
VFG Member
Yes, I agree with you about the OP's dress being later than the 60s. What I was confused about was the information that it had to be post-2000 because of the RN being registered to Kellwood, which took over Dorby in 2000. I wondered if the Dorby Company used the same RN number before Kellwood acquired it.
Information I found yesterday seemed to confirm that was possible, but I think I misinterpreted it. When I posed a differently worded question today, this result came back: "No, a textile RN (Registered Identification Number) is not transferable when a company is sold; each company needs to apply for its own RN, regardless of ownership changes."
I apologize if my initial comment about error offended anyone here in the VFG. Not my intention at all.
And I wish someone would weigh in that has more experience with RNs.
Vintorious
VFG Member
You haven't offended anyone!!! I agree: if someone knows the answer to your RN question, it would be very helpful indeed! ETA: what I *do* know about RNs is that even if it was issued early, it isn't the best way to date an item, since the company may continue for many years under the same number. Not sure under what circumstances the numbers transfer (if at all), though.
Karen's Fashion Backward Shop
VFG Member
Yes, I wish that the RN was more than just a hint.
The frustrating thing about the Miss Dorby label (and I see it fairly often when I'm sourcing) is that I can't find any trademark information on the US Patent and Trademark website. I've also found that website helpful sometimes for estimating an age range.