Van Raalte

Started in 1913 by Emanuel Van Raalte, this company was first known for it's gloves, veils, stockings, and underwear.
News Story- Middletown, NY - Aug. 27, 1918 MIDDLETOWN IS TO HAVE ANOTHER NEW INDUSTRY Announcement is made by the Middletown Chamber of Commerce of an added industry to the city, the Klagara Silk Mills, Inc., of New York city, which has taken a lease on what is known as the Bastian Hotel building on East Main street for a term of years for manufacturing purposes. The Niagara Silk Mills are widely known throughout the country through their "Niagara Maid" line of silk gloves, hosiery and underwear; also for their well known Van Raalte silk veils. The principal plant of the company is located at Paterson, N.J., with branches at Dunkirk, N. Y.; Tonawanda, N. Y., and Meadville, Pa., and with the main offices at 16th street and 5th avenue, New York city. The officers of the parent company are E. Van. Raalte, president; Z. Van Raalte, vice-president and  treasurer, the corporation being capitalized under the laws of the State of New York. The building to be occupied by the Niagara people is owned by Dr. Edwin Fancher and W. M. Flero, who will immediately begin the necessary alterations to enable the commencement of operations some time during the month of September. The company has announced that female help principally will be engaged in their Middletown plant. It is stated that they are engaged In certain war work, butt no definite statement has been made as to just what operation will be conducted at  their local factory. They hope to secure a hundred hands.
Opaquelon - trademark registered 1955 Suavette (not a lingerie line, but a fabric)- ad found; new in 1958
	The parts of this 1958 ad that can't be read go like this: The most exciting news in nylon- since nylon! Van Raalte's own "Sauvette" tissue tricot. And it has all the easy-to-care-for virtues of the nylon you know . . . quick to wash, quick to smoothly drip-dry. Fashioned so slimly and trimly in slip a-foam with the lovliest lace for fall's new silhouettes. And the parts left off read: A: The bodice and back of this prettv slip are of Renaissance Rose Alencon lace and sheer embroidery . . . fully lined . . . matching flounce hem . .  Sizes 32 to 38 ... White only. B: The- slim sheath . . . here it is deeply scalloped with Renaissance Rose Alencon . . White only . . . Sizes S-M-L. C: The slim side-slashed sheath is trimmed with beautiful Applique Elegance Alencon . . White only . . . Size; S-M-L. D: Lovely Applique points up a hem and side slash of Elegance Alencon. matching all-lace bodice … White only . . . Sizes 32 to 33.
Collections: Carribean Fruit - 1962
They were bought out in the 1980s and then the Van Raalte trademark was sold to Warnaco in 1994 for $1.0 Million. Warnaco also now owns both the Warner's and Olga brand names.
COMING SOON - Van Raalte Image Bank. This spot will hold photos of tags and the different lingerie lines.
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