Florence Eiseman discovered her talent when making gifts for friends. Her husband took some of the pinafores she had sewn to Marshall Fields and was given a large order. This legendary brand of clothing for children was born in 1945 and is still going strong today.
When she and her husband started the business, little girls were often dressed in big skirts and petticoats with many ruffles and frills. She felt that they did not need this embellishment. Her sentiment was that a classic simplicity of design ensured that an item never went out of style. The simple lines of her clothing were appreciated generations of mothers.
She was a stickler for good workmanship and use of quality fabrics. Early features of her designs included hand sewn hems, French seams, hand rolled edges and collars framing the face. Ten years after launching her first collection, she was a recipient of a Nieman Marcus award for her contribution to fashion for children. The Milwaukie Art Museum did a retrospective of her work in 1985.
Eventually she was forced to reduce her involvement due to ill health and Teri Shapiro, the head designer, took over. Teri learned through her years of working under her guidance that designs needed to be fresh and trendy without losing the iconic feel. Trends were important but following fads was not. This philosophy served the company well through the years and it managed to weather some ups and downs, coming out stronger than ever.
The range has expanded over the years to include swimwear, play clothes and knitwear. It has also extended its range of baby clothes, including a variety of dresses, bloomers and rompers in cool and comfortable cotton blends. Fabrics are patterned with prints and stripes and are still embellished with delightful appliques which are a signature of the brand.
The company still designs its clothing in Milwaukie but with globalization and the popularity of shopping on the internet, it is expanded its reach. Mothers all over the world are able to go to websites of online suppliers and place orders. It is as simple as searching for the brand and comparing what is on offer at different suppliers before making a selection.
These items are very practical as they are all machine washable and lined. Some are reversible like seersucker overalls with zoo animal appliques or a colorful seersucker dress. A practical playsuit for a baby has elasticized leg openings and a snap button gusset. Some of the embellishments like flower pins can be removed for easy washing.
The company continues to update its looks, combining its classic look with recent trends without ever responding to fads. The brand has weathered all the changes to clothing for children over the years and sales are still going strong. Their careful workmanship and enduring designs means Florence Eiseman clothes are often saved for siblings or cousins and passed down from generation to generation.
When she and her husband started the business, little girls were often dressed in big skirts and petticoats with many ruffles and frills. She felt that they did not need this embellishment. Her sentiment was that a classic simplicity of design ensured that an item never went out of style. The simple lines of her clothing were appreciated generations of mothers.
She was a stickler for good workmanship and use of quality fabrics. Early features of her designs included hand sewn hems, French seams, hand rolled edges and collars framing the face. Ten years after launching her first collection, she was a recipient of a Nieman Marcus award for her contribution to fashion for children. The Milwaukie Art Museum did a retrospective of her work in 1985.
Eventually she was forced to reduce her involvement due to ill health and Teri Shapiro, the head designer, took over. Teri learned through her years of working under her guidance that designs needed to be fresh and trendy without losing the iconic feel. Trends were important but following fads was not. This philosophy served the company well through the years and it managed to weather some ups and downs, coming out stronger than ever.
The range has expanded over the years to include swimwear, play clothes and knitwear. It has also extended its range of baby clothes, including a variety of dresses, bloomers and rompers in cool and comfortable cotton blends. Fabrics are patterned with prints and stripes and are still embellished with delightful appliques which are a signature of the brand.
The company still designs its clothing in Milwaukie but with globalization and the popularity of shopping on the internet, it is expanded its reach. Mothers all over the world are able to go to websites of online suppliers and place orders. It is as simple as searching for the brand and comparing what is on offer at different suppliers before making a selection.
These items are very practical as they are all machine washable and lined. Some are reversible like seersucker overalls with zoo animal appliques or a colorful seersucker dress. A practical playsuit for a baby has elasticized leg openings and a snap button gusset. Some of the embellishments like flower pins can be removed for easy washing.
The company continues to update its looks, combining its classic look with recent trends without ever responding to fads. The brand has weathered all the changes to clothing for children over the years and sales are still going strong. Their careful workmanship and enduring designs means Florence Eiseman clothes are often saved for siblings or cousins and passed down from generation to generation.
