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Jantzen in the Designer Spotlight

JANTZEN : TRANSFORMS ANYONE WHO WEARS IT INTO A WOMAN OF BEAUTY AND TIMELESS GLAMOUR Lisa Dixon, Jantzen designer

What/Who inspires you?

Fashion, runways, street, celebrities, and of course Jantzen’s 100 year old swim suit archive.

As an accomplished fashion designer, why did you choose to dedicate to swimwear?

I started my career in children’s swimwear, after that I went to lingerie, then menswear, out of all of those categories swimwear always felt the most natural for me. I love swimwear, I’m constantly challenged to create designs that help women feel great about themselves.

While looking back at your debut in this industry, what is its evolution ?

As I said above, my early career was in children’s swimsuits which was an extremely creative avenue giving me a keen understanding of color and print, different stretch fabrics, and lots of details and trims.

When I went on to design lingerie I really became focused on fit and understanding women’s bodies and how to accentuate and bring out the best in every woman. It was during this time that my taste began to grow to a much more sophisticated level.

I later went on to mens wear, specifically golf attire, sweaters, shirts, bottoms, even dress shirts for a while. I learned a lot but longed to get back into swim wear, where it was becoming much clearer that my passion lies.

A few years later I moved out to California and started designing womens swim wear and haven’t looked back, this is where I want to be. I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to work for a company with such a fabulous Heritage as Jantzen.

What makes you an indispensable brand for a swimwear store? For a customer?

Jantzen is a 100 year old company, one of the pioneers of the swimwear industry, it is the iconic brand in swimwear. Throughout its 100 years Jantzen has been known for swimsuit innovation, quality, fit and timeless glamour.

We design every suit with the customer in mind, how it will make her look and feel, we understand women’s body types and design products that flatter her assets and camouflage any flaws (imagined or not).

Can you describe with a few adjectives the characteristics of a woman wearing your swimsuits?

Jantzen is for every woman, it transforms anyone who wears it into a woman of beauty and timeless glamour.

All aboard!

All aboard! Jantzen® took center stage this week on board Celebrity Cruises newest addition, Eclipse. This grand ship made a stop in the Port of Miami and served as the location for The Beacon Council’s Fashion and Lifestyle Committee’s luncheon.

The Beacon Council is a public-private economic development organization, helping to better our local community and industries. During lunch, a lifestyle fashion show featuring women in swimsuits, casual and evening apparel, and men in a variety of clothing, took place. Jantzen was one of the premier brands showcasing their swimwear along side their fellow Perry Ellis International brands: Laundry by Shelli Segal®, Cubavera®, and Perry Ellis®.

The Beacon Council’s Fashion-Lifestyle Initiative was launched in 2008 as a branding initiative for Miami - Dade County, where Jantzen's parent company, Perry Ellis International, is located. Perry Ellis CEO and Chairman, George Feldenkreis gave the keynote speech and was awarded a crystal Beacon Award for his accomplishments.

Jantzen was proud to participate in a great event benefiting the local fashion community.

2011 Jantzen Shoot: Behind the Scenes

Check out these “behind the scenes” images from our 2011 Jantzen shoot. We were on location at the historical Boca Raton Beach Resort & Club and the outcome of this upcoming campaign is sure to be nothing short of incredible. We can’t wait to share the new shots with you guys, but until then, enjoy this sneak peek!

Fall Trends

‘Tis the season for snowbirds. While some of the country is layering up for winter, other parts are escaping the cold weather and opting for swimwear - and Jantzen is always part of the action.

While most swimsuit lines don’t typically tout “fall trends,” Jantzen is and has always been a seasonal style innovator. From stylish capes of vintage collections to today’s cute cover-ups (like tunics, sarongs, hoodies, crochets and dresses), Northerners who want to look their “hautest” while on vacation are reaching towards Jantzen’s classic styles.

So what’s the fall fashion swimwear forecast? This holiday season suits will sizzle with details and embellishment including ruffles, pleats, shirring, bows and jeweled styles. Using elements of Jantzen styles from bygone eras, the current collection reinterprets the perfect fit fused with timeless fashion trends relevant for today’s modern lifestyle.

So, while you’re basking on the beaches of migratory destinations like South Florida, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Southern Cali and more – or if you just want to live vicariously – enjoy some of these vintage Jantzen ads showcasing the most popular sunshine spots. Travel trends haven’t changed much, but style certainly has!

Jantzen in the AHA Fashion Show

Jantzen participated in the 2010 GO RED FOR WOMEN Fashion Show last week. Jantzen’s parent company, Perry Ellis International, was the exclusive clothier benefitting the American Heart Association in their fight against the #1 killer of both women and men: heart disease.

Hosted at the sophisticated Bass Museum on Miami Beach on Thursday, October 21st, the fashion show showcased nine (9) of the twenty-nine (29) Perry Ellis International brands, including: Perry Ellis, Laundry by Shelli Segal, C&C California, Original Penguin by Munsingwear, Cubavera, Callaway, Perry Ellis Swim for Women, Original Penguin Swim for Men, and Jantzen.

Jantzen showcased styles from its current 2011 collection, as well as vintage men’s and women’s suits from eras gone by.

The evening was co-hosted by Mariana Rodriguez, TV personality and host of Acceso Total on Telemundo 51 in Miami; and Paulo Quevedo, Mexican-born actor, model and singer. Please enjoy the images and videos from the fashion filled night of philanthropy!

Jantzen's Centenary Office BBQ

Jantzen’s 100th birthday was celebrated by Portland Staff last month. It was a hot, hot party in more ways than one. The weather was in the 90s, sizzling for Portland. The parking lot was roped off and eight cars from the Flying Eagles A’s Model A Ford Club lined the street. Linda Van Engen, long time employee in the Sample Sew department and her husband Dennis are members and arranged for the car participation. Jantzen employees can be seen wearing red t-shirts with a vintage Diving Girl logo. Both staffers and club members enjoyed a barbeque pot luck. Gift items including centenary mugs, towels and other prizes were a hit but the highlight was a photo shoot with the cars. A select group changed into old fashioned reproduction swims provided by the archive dept.

Jantzen Reunion

Starting as the Portland Knitting Company with a few knitting machines above a small retail store in downtown Portland, Oregon, and later incorporated in January 27, 1910, Jantzen is now celebrating it's 100th year. A reunion was held to honor this monumental occasion.

A reunion celebration to mark the centenary milestone of the company started out as a small gathering but soon grew to impressive numbers due to an overwhelming response from former and current employees, almost 500 in total. The scheduled events over the course of two days, began with a golf scramble at Lake Oswego Municipal Golf course. The evening followed with a picnic at Historic Oaks Park on the Willamette River. Ironically this is the same river that the founders swam in 100 years earlier when testing Jantzen's first bathing suits and when rowing as members of Portland Rowing Club.

There were over 300 participants that dined on picnic fare and mingled together under a huge tent amid the giant oaks to the tunes of a single man band. They were treated to centenary t-shirts, cups and cooler bags that were handed out by current employees wearing old fashioned swims supplied by the archive dept. Many brought Jantzen memorabilia to share and seemed thrilled to be in the company of former friends and co-workers.

The next evening, festivities were held at the Double Tree Hotel. Guests, including current and former employees came from all over the country. They included former executives, designers, models, sales force, many departments and descendants of the Zehntbauer family. Licensees came from Mexico and Japan. As they entered the ballroom they viewed a display of beautiful suits on mannequins from the Jantzen Heritage Collection. Socializing and dinner followed. The program began with organizer Al Zindel speaking about the Women's division, Bob Ludeman, the Men's division, Ron Gustaff, the International Division and Jeff Harden, the Foundation D. Videos followed including the Zehntbauer Sisters at Jantzen and Lori Medici's Behind the Scenes, and Through the Decades. Robin Inman, granddaughter of founder John Zehntbauer, summed up the evening perfectly when she said, "It is humbling, all the love that is pouring out of you (attendees) for this company".

From the Archives: Donated Suit

In 1926 Jantzen Knitting Mills hired physical education and swimming expert Paul Huedepohl to head the Jantzen Swimming Association of America. The company’s object was to promote swimming as an all year sport for men and women of all ages. The slogan was “Clean Water”.

Learn to Swim weeks started in 1927 for communities nationwide. The Jantzen Swimming Association and its program engaged pool operators, the local press and retailers in a successful campaign that continued into the 1940-50s. It was a winning situation for all.

Susan Filler Lane recently donated her childhood Jantzen suit to the Archives. It is the first donated suit with a direct connection to the “Learn to Swim” campaign. Susan recalls that her friend’s mother drove the both of them to classes at Jantzen Beach, Oregon...”quite unusual in those days”. The two have remained friends.

The suit is a beautiful red jacquard named Moon Flower and is in excellent condition. It was produced in 1939 and retailed for $2.95.

The newspaper photo shows her being instructed by Paul Huedepohl in 1942.

Aqualillies rockin' Jantzen at the London Hotel

This past Wednesday, we had the opportunity to go to the London Hotel’s ‘Wednesdays at Sunset’ where the darling, Jantzen-clad, Aqualilies were performing. Aqualilies is a modern, fun, sophisticated take on 1950’s water ballet….á la Esther Williams. It was a gorgeous California summer evening and sunset and the rooftop pool couldn’t have served as a better backdrop for the Aqualilies.

After their performance, we up met Mesha Kussman, the creator and director of the group, along with a few of the performers. Most of them have been swimming all their lives and some of them mentioned that the Jantzen suits are their favorite, and have been for as long as they can remember. They all absolutely love Jantzen; Not only for its feminine and vintage details, but also for its incredible functionality and wearability--in and out of the pool (trust us, these girls need a suit that stays in place and helps them look their very best).

It was so nice to see our suits being worn, and loved, by such a great group of women who embody the Jantzen brand! Keep rockin’ those Jantzens, Aqualillies!

Jantzen on KTLA

Check out this special segment on KTLA highlighting Jantzen's Heritage Collection and our 2010 mainline, featuring VP of Marketing, Lori Medici.

 

Jantzen on Good Morning Jacksonville

Check out VP of Marketing, Lori Medici, and our Jantzen models on Good Morning Jacksonville:

Art Institute of Portland: 100 Years of Glamour

Jantzen is teaming up with the Art Institute of Portland in its hometown to celebrate 100 Years of Timeless Glamour. The Institute will be showcasing our archival suits as well as the 2010 Heritage Collection. In addition to nostalgic suits, imagery, celebrity advertisements, and accessories will be on display highlighting Jantzen’s evolution, as well as our own iconic 21-foot fiberglass Diving Girl.

This fabulous display of our history kicked off last Thursday night with a special opening reception. Guests got to check out the new exhibition for the first time and met Jantzen Archivist Carol Alhadeff and Faculty Curator Annin Barrett. The exhibit tells the story of Jantzen’s leadership both in swimwear and fashion marketing from 1910 to today, and will be on view through the end of April.

Carol Alhadeff and Annin Barrett

Come see us at the Art Institute of Portland Gallery: 1122 NW Davis Street (Between 11th and 12th). Hours: Mon – Thurs, 9 am – 6 pm; Fri, 9 am – 4 pm; Sat, 9 am – 2 pm

Zehntbauer Sisters Visit Jantzen Headquarters

Jantzen welcomed special guests this week, the Zehntbauer sisters. Evelyn, 95, and Jane, 90, are daughters of Roy Zehntbauer, who co-founded the brand with Carl Jantzen. They visited the Jantzen headquarters in Portland on Wednesday – the same office the brand has inhabited since 1929. The sisters were in attendance to help shoot a promotional short video for the Art Institute of Portland, which is hosting an exhibit showcasing Jantzen’s timeless glamour throughout the past decades. Jantzen, celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, will have archives and nostalgic pieces on display now through April 30th.

The Jantzen video will highlight the heritage of our brand and its history – displaying images from the first five decades. Evelyn and Jane were nice enough to join us in the celebration and we were so happy to have them be a part of such an iconic piece of history! They shared their personal memories, family stories, and gave insight into the company history. Their cousin Fred Cormack also joined them. They met and visited with the company staff who presented them with gift items including a vintage Diving Girl pin, used on the glamorous suits of the 1950s.

Check out “Celebrating 100 Years of Timeless Glamour” when it opens on March 11th. The exhibition runs through April 30th.