L’AIGLON…An American Brand that created stylish and attractive dresses for women and juniors between 1900’s – 1960’s.
1950s soft pink cotton/linen dress by L’Aiglon. Source: Etsy – vantagevintagebtq
For today’s ‘Vintage Fashion Designer / Brand‘ spotlight, we will be learning about L’Aiglon’s fashion history and then taking a look at their stunning fashion designs (as seen thru vintage ads & real life dresses avail to purchase).
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.
About L’Aiglon
I will prefence the below to say that there was very little historical information on this clothing line besides the Vintage Fashion Guild (and a blog I found). So if any of my readers has information they can add, please share in the comments section below. Thank you!
(From the Vintage Fashion Guild)
L’Aiglon was founded in 1898 in Philadelphia as part of Biberman Brothers, Inc. The company’s original label read “Biberman Make” but changed in 1919 to “L’Aiglon”. On those early labels you will find “Biberman Make” in small letters. Biberman Make dresses were “wash dresses”, or washable. “Tubable” was the word of the era. Biberman also made bathrobes and uniforms for maids and nurses.
Its founder, Joseph Biberman, committed suicide in 1933 as a result of financial difficulties during the Great Depression. The company, however, survived, and continued to make inexpensive but stylish and attractive dresses for women and juniors. During the 1950s, L’Aiglon dresses were used as costumes on the soap opera, The Edge of Night. The label was trademarked in 1963 so any labels with an R (trademark symbol) are post-1963.
The company produced three labels in addition to their primary L’Aiglon label. Jeanne d’arc was L’Aiglon’s junior’s label. It was launched in 1939 and produced through at least 1965. Dauphine, a label designed for petite sizes, was introduced in 1958 and manufactured through at least 1971. Lady L’Aiglon was a short-lived half size label made in 1962 and 1963. Half sizes were also offered prior to 1962 under the L’Aiglon label.
At their height they produced 1,400 dresses a day.
They were also know for using techniques such as screen printing exquisite, floral patterns onto beautifully designed cotton dresses and adding finishing touches such as contrasting jackets, belts, rhinestones and ribbon trims. All of this you will see below.
The company was liquidated in 1975.
L’Aiglon Vintage Advertising
As mentioned above, in the early days of L’Aiglon the line made uniforms for maids and nurses as seen in this 1921 vintage ad.
Source: Etsy – AmericanCenturyShop
1920s ad for L’Aiglon Women’s Dresses. Wonderful 1920’s styles are described at the bottom (with prices): “Anemone,” “Irene,” Bernice,” Elaine,” Gladys,” and “Mignonette” models.
Copy: The joyous spirit of youth, or the quiet preference of dignity, will delight in the exquisite fineness of workmanship and the expression of good style in these daintiest, most charming, and withal most practical L’Aiglon dresses.
Source: Atticpaper
June 1922, Women’s L’Aiglon Slip-Overs 1920s dresses (from $2.00 and up). “Just slip one over your head – and there you are, daintly clad for whatever the day will bring!“
Source: Flickr
1930’s Sales brochure for their youth line featuring cute dresses / frocks you could stock your store with. What a cool piece of marketing history!
This piece also gives more insight into the brand. We find out that they had a factory in Puerto Rico and their New York City Address was in the “New” Herald Square Building (1350 Broadway).
Source: eBay
1949 modeling photo of a L’Aiglon sundress. Photo taken by staff photographer for Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Bride magazines, Karen Radkai.
1951 L’Aiglon Dress Ad – “L’Aiglon summerizes the fashion picture.” The ad is from Lord & Taylor where the dresses were being sold.
Source: eBay
“Who’s the Lady in the L’Aiglon?” 1953 ad featuring copy about the stylish woman in the picture.
Due to the image being cut off, I think she is a curator at a museum with a happy family (hence the cooking) and she has something to do with ABC. “She is an expert on American fashion and looks to L’Aiglon for smart clothes like this coat-dress of Lorette (Washable Lorette is 55%).”
Source: eBay
“L’Aiglon! A New You!” “Wash it at 5, Wear it at 6“. 1958 ad.
1950s summer fashion inspiration ad. “Summer’s wonderful in wonderful Summer“.
Source: Pinterest
1960’s ad: “The Social Butterfly”.
Copy: Rare find: L’Aiglon’s shirtdress with cotton checks. It’s natural habitat: office, smart luncheon spot, everywhere!
Sold at Marshall Field & Company.
FURTHER READING: The Shirtwaist Dress (archived blog post).
Source: Alamy
“What ever became of the Little Black Dress?” “If girls are wearing white this year, credit Acrilan. It makes possible the first washable white dresses that look glamourous! They’re designed by L’Aiglon in Heller’s double-knit of 100% Acrilan acrylic fiber.” – 1960s vintage ad.
Source: eBay
1960s Marshall Field & Company ad featuring two L’Aiglon dresses. A yellow stunner of a dress and a polka dot fit and flare dress.
Source: eBay
L’Aiglon for DuPont 1963 ad featuring a fun zebra print dress.
Source: Pinterest
The Vintage Fashions of L’Aiglon
Note: I found no examples of 1920s dress (in real life) and no 1940s vintage fashion ads OR 1940s dresses from any of the lines L’Aiglon had.
1930s Art Deco dress by L’Aiglon. Light weight cotton printed with geometric pattern, navy blue with white. Bodice is a boxy style wrap scoop collar which you can open to uncover the cotton voile bib or close with two crochet buttons (avail as of May 29th, 2023).
Further Reading: 1930s Fashions as seen on everyday people
Source: Etsy – STARDAYnSWELLEGANT
A 1950s pretty floral dress with a classic 1950s cut. The perfect Spring dress from L’Aiglon (avail as of May 29th, 2023).
Source: Etsy-VintageVixenPortland
Beautiful black with red L’Aiglon dress from the 1950s. This dress features a structured bodice, fitted waistline, longer sleeves, and a full skirt. This dress is so pretty and would be the perfect Fall outfit (avail as of May 29th, 2023).
Source: Etsy – TrunkofDresses
1950s Dress. Another pretty piece! Bright pink floral against a white background. 6 Groupings of vertical pleats on the bodice. Waistband has attached bow above pleated skirt (avail as of May 29th, 2023).
Source: Etsy – AuburnFoxVintage
1950s “New Look” L’Aiglon dress. Bodice is fabricated in a beige colored cotton and trimmed in a white rayon faille. The skirt is in a white crisp cotton in a heavy embroidered diamond pattern (avail as of May 29th, 2023).
Source: Etsy-NobleVintageClothier
1960s L’Aiglon dress, white with black trimmings.
Source: eBay
A very sweet early 1960s sundress! Lightweight, slightly sheer white cotton/polyester blend. Stripes of lace and tiny embroidered pink roses. Classic silhouette with a fitted bodice and full, gathered skirt.
Source: Raleigh Vintage
Biberman Brothers / L’Aiglon “OTHER” fashion label designs examples:
Vintage 1950s ‘Dauphine’ light blue embroidered dress with a full skirt (avail as of May 29th, 2023).
Dauphine, a label designed for petite sizes, was introduced in 1958 and manufactured through at least 1971.
Source: Etsy – Roamandwandervintage
Vintage 1950s brown cotton dress with embroidery by ‘Jeanne d’arc’ (avail as of May 29th, 2023).
Jeanne d’arc was L’Aiglon’s junior’s label. It was launched in 1939 and produced through at least 1965.
Source: Etsy – SquealVintage
So many beautiful dresses & cool ads but so little space for this post! I hope you enjoyed learning about L’Aiglon and seeing their stunning creations. I really enjoyed putting this together for you. Share you favourites in the comment section below!
Vintage Shopping for L’Aiglon Dresses: There were many dresses avail for purchase on Etsy that I have started a collection of them on the site so you can take a look at that ones I could not show on this post. Take a look at the vintage dresses HERE.
Further Reading:
- Vintage Fashion Designers (Archived Blog Posts)
- Vintage Fashion 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Thanks for dropping by
Liz
These dresses are stunning. Thank you for sharing. I’d never heard of this designer.
I never had either. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Liz
If only I were shaped like that! Unfortunately, I am undertall for my weight!
You can do what I do and just dream that I could wear these outfits. My waist is sadly to big for most of these dresses. So I will enjoy them from a far!
Liz
Factory in Shippensburg, PA was a large employer on my hometown. Closed in 1975, it was an important part if our community. A good friend whose mom worked there has several dresses stored away. I’d post a photo of the factory and employees of I could…
You can email me at: thevintageinnblog@gmail.com
Sorry to hear about the factory closing. It’s always sad when a big employer leaves the town. It effects everyone.
Liz