Ellen Tracy is a clothing manufacturing company founded by Herbert Gallen in 1949.[1]

The company has three divisions:

  1. The Linda Allard for Ellen Tracy's signature collection of career wear.
  2. The Ellen Tracy Dresses.
  3. Company by Ellen Tracy.

Revlon has also produced an Ellen Tracy perfume.[2]

History

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As a result of wartime rations during World War II fabrics became difficult to obtain. However, Herbert Gallen was able to acquire some fabric from a friend. He produced several blouses which he took to major department stores on Manhattan's 34th Street. He sold all of the sample blouses and started a clothing line using his wife's name. Betty Barr, for the label.[3] He opened a showroom on Third Avenue with financial backing from Mike Brewer, Gallen formed a new company in 1949 which he called Ellen Tracy.[3] In 1962, he hired recent college graduate Linda Allard as his design assistant[2] and within two years, she was named Director of Design. The company was acquired in 2002 by Liz Claiborne, Inc. and became a wholly owned subsidiary of that company.[3]

Notable dates

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  • In 1979, Ellen Tracy became involved in designer sportswear rather than just junior sportswear.
  • In 1983, they added a petite division.
  • In 1984, Linda Allard’s name was added to the Ellen Tracy label.[4]
  • In 1985 the company added a dress division.
  • In 1983, their ad campaign featured model Carol Alt and in 1987 it featured a young Cindy Crawford.[3]
  • In 1991, Ellen Tracy launched the Company Ellen Tracy line to appeal to younger wearers and also offered casual weekend clothing.
  • In the spring of 1993, they added a plus-size division.[3]
  • In September 2002, Herbert Gallen sold the company to Liz Claiborne, Inc.
  • In 2010, Macy’s became the exclusive sportswear retailer for Ellen Tracy. The brand launched internationally in this year as well.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Ellen Tracy". Accessories Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b Schiro, Anne-Marie (20 November 1991). "Who Is Ellen Tracy?". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Ellen Tracy, Inc. History". Funding Universe. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  4. ^ "Discover the Heritage of Ellen Tracy". Ellen Tracy. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  5. ^ "About Ellen Tracy". Ellen Tracy. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
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