Lord & Taylor
Dates
- Existence: 1826 (date of establishment)
Biography
George Washington Taylor and Samuel Lord opened Lord & Taylor department stores in 1826 as a small dry goods company on 47 Catherine street in New York City. In 1853, the company moved into a building on the corner of Grand and Chrystie streets. By 1872, the stored had moved and opened two additional stores, one at 20th and Broadway, and the other at Grand and Broadway. In 1910, Lord and Taylor was purchased by United Dry Goods Companies, the parent company to the Associated Merchant's Company
By then, Lord and Taylor had expanded their building at 20th street to the end of the block at 5th avenue, making it the first department store to reside on the street which would later become a center of commerce. The company's final move came in 1914, when they relocated to a ten story Italianate building at 5th avenue and 38th street. The rooftop of this building was fitted with excellent employee facilities, such as an open air garden, a dining room, lounge, hospital, and gym. It was at this location that Lord and Taylor became known for its artful department store display windows for promotions and holidays. Lord and Taylor pioneered new retail policies in shopping for its time. They were the first department store with fixed-price policies, the first to include a steam elevator, the first who did not employ men to to entice customers to enter, and the first to open a branch in the suburbs at Manhasset. Lord and Taylor also opened the first juniors, maternity, bridal,and petites departments. Under the direction of retail executive Dorothy Shaver, Lord and Taylor launched "The American Look" campaign in 1932, becoming the first department store to promote the works of American fashion designers over Parisian designers.
Found in 59 Collections and/or Records:
Untitled (Two figures in bras, lounging), undated, 1983, undated
Two figures in lounging bras; Black and white: brush and wash; Signed; Client Lord & Taylor
Untitled (Two figures in Fabiani swing coats), undated, 1995, undated
Two figures in Fabiani swing coats at the Plaza; Black and white: brush and wash; Signed; Client Lord & Taylor
Untitled (Two figures in plaid sunsuits), 1980, 1987, 1980
Two figures in plaid sunsuits, one with overskirt. Black cast shadows in background. Transfer from study collection, 2002; Black and white: charcoal and wash; Signed lower left; Client Lord & Taylor
Untitled (Two males in John Weitz sport suits), circa 1970s, 2000, circa 1970s
Two males in John Weitz sport suits. "Summer blues. John Weitz style."; Black and white: brush and wash; Signed lower left; Client Lord & Taylor
Vogue Panagra Promotions, Claire McCardell, December 1952, 1952
This folder contains a scrapbook from 1952 with magazine and newspaper clippings, promotional materials, photographs, fabric swatches, and business correspondence for the Claire McCardell Panagra Cottons promotion by Pan-American-Grace Airways and Everfast Fabrics. There are also hang tags, a list of participating stores, and photographs of window displays at Lord & Taylor.
Window and display photographs, 1959-1966
This series is comprised of photographs of Newey's work as a window dresser and display artist for various department stores and professional display companies.
Women's Wear, 1934-1935, 1935
This folder contains a scrapbook from 1934-1935 with newspaper clippings for women's ready-to-wear made with Everfast Fabrics under N. Erlanger, Blumgart & Co. There are ads for sportswear, resort wear and bathing suits, and articles about current fashion and cotton fabric trends.
Women's Wear, 1937-1938, 1937-1938
This folder contains a scrapbook from 1937-1938 with newspaper and magazine clippings for women's wear made with Everfast Fabrics. There are ads for fabrics designed by Jacques Heim and Elsa Schiaparelli, as well as Bali-inspired prints by Miguel Covarrubias.
Women's Wear Promotions, 1940-1941, 1940-1941
This folder contains a scrapbook from 1940-1941 with newspaper clippings and promotional materials for women's wear from Everfast Fabrics. Promotions include "First Fashions of America (F.F.A.)" fabrics inspired by Marian Stephenson, "Louisiana Fashions" by Truman Bailey, and "Travelers Cheques" fabrics designed in partnership with American Express.