Suzy Perette Labels: History and How to Date Them
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Suzy Perette was not a person but a New York dress label that made affordable American versions of Paris styles, above all the full-skirted New Look. The name was in use from 1946 and the company traded from 1949 to the early 1970s, so the label points firmly to the mid-century, most often the 1950s.
Company history
According to the Vintage Fashion Guild (VFG), Suzy Perette was a registered trademark of Lombardy Dress, founded as Lombardy Frocks in 1930. The name was first used in commerce in 1946 and registered by Lombardy Frocks in 1954. The company, started by Max and Sidney Blauner, was located at 134 W. 37th Street in New York from 1949 to the early 1970s. The Blauner family also owned the "Designed by Blauner" and "Jeunesse" labels.
Evelyn Dawson designed for Suzy Perette in the late 1950s, and Victor Costa worked for the company from 1965 to 1973. A sister label, Gigi Young Fashions, followed the same formula as a less expensive line from the late 1950s to 1966.
Label timeline
| Label or clue | Approximate dates | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Suzy Perette name | First used 1946 | Nothing earlier than the late 1940s |
| Company at 134 W. 37th Street, New York | 1949 to the early 1970s | The main production years |
| Gigi Young Fashions (sister label) | Late 1950s to 1966 | Cheaper line in the same style |
| Victor Costa period | 1965 to 1973 | Later Suzy Perette designs |
What it helps date
- Fitted bodice and full skirt with a Suzy Perette label: most likely the 1950s, the decade of the New Look described in our 1940s and 1950s hubs.
- Check the zipper and fibre labels to separate 1950s pieces from 1960s ones: date by zippers, date by labels.
- Any union label in the dress can narrow the date further: union labels. Mid-century size numbers also run small by today's standards: vintage sizing.
Values
Our vintage dress values guide puts the middle half of 22 auction results at about $35 to $110, top about $550 (Barnebys), and calls them mass-market party dresses. The 1950s hub gives marketplace ranges of $10 to $35 (fair), $35 to $110 (good) and $110 to $240 (excellent), from Poshmark sold listings. Prices are estimates as of 2026.
check sold prices for suzy perette vintage dress on eBay
Sources
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Guides that mention Suzy Perette
- 1950s Vintage Clothing: How to Date and Value ItDate and value 1950s clothing: New Look to sack silhouettes, early synthetics, metal zippers, ILGWU and fibre labels, and 2026 price ranges.
- How to Photograph, Measure and List Vintage ClothingA practical checklist for photographing, measuring and describing vintage clothing so it sells faster, gets found in search and avoids returns.
- Vintage Dress Values: Prices by Era, Label and ConditionRealistic 2026 price ranges for vintage and antique dresses, Victorian to 1990s, by era and label, with auction results and what moves the price.
- What Is My Vintage Dress Worth? A 5-Step MethodWork out what your vintage dress is worth in five steps: date it, check it is genuine, grade condition, find sold comparables and choose where to sell.
- What Makes Vintage Clothing Valuable? The 8 Value DriversWhy one vintage piece sells for $20 and a similar one for $2,000: age, label, rarity, condition, size, provenance and demand, with 2026 sold prices.
Related
- How to Date Vintage Clothing by the LabelUse the laws, postcodes, fiber names and country names printed on a garment label to work out the earliest year it could have been made.
- How to Date Vintage Clothing by the ZipperUse zipper type, placement, brand and material to date vintage clothing: metal Talon zippers, side-seam closures, the 1960 nylon coil, and concealed zips.
- Dating Vintage Clothing by ILGWU and Other Union LabelsHow to date American garments by their ILGWU, ACWA, NRA and Consumers' Protection labels, with a period-by-period chart and where the dates disagree.
- Vintage Dress Values: Prices by Era, Label and ConditionRealistic 2026 price ranges for vintage and antique dresses, Victorian to 1990s, by era and label, with auction results and what moves the price.