Ellen Tracy

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

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

• 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

External links

• http://www.ellentracy.com/