Jantzen Blog

Tis The Season....

2011-12-23T12:57:00.002-05:00

What better way to capture the holiday spirit than with the fabulous and festive illustration of artist Pete Hawley. Whether a mischievous Santa on a rooftop, a carousel rider on a regal reindeer or an elfin trimming the tree, his love of fun and frivolity is evident. After all, it is the most anticipated and celebrated time of year for presents and to “give yourself a Jantzen figure.”

The above ads were produced for the Jantzen Foundation Division from 1943 to 1947. They appeared in Mademoiselle, Harper’s Bazaar and Junior Bazaar magazines. Pete Hawley’s artwork for Jantzen continued until 1962.

Let the fun begin! Happy Holidays!

Gobble, gobble!

2011-11-23T11:38:00.000-05:00

The turkey is the most recognized symbol of the modern day Thanksgiving even though there is no real evidence that it was served at the Pilgrims’ first harvest. The charming feathered fowl in this whimsical illustration by artist Pete Hawley seems to be headed for the table. He is unfortunately two years too early for a presidential turkey pardon which was first performed by Harry Truman in 1947 and is a tradition that continues to this day.

In 1941, after much debate, Franklin Roosevelt declared the national holiday on the fourth Thursday in November. “any minute now” appeared in the November issue of Mademoiselle magazine in 1945.

Veterans, We Salute You!

2011-11-11T16:13:00.001-05:00

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, all hostilities of the first World War stopped and Armistice Day was declared. Today the holiday is renamed and dedicated to military veterans of all wars.

A 1943 billboard, by Artist Pete Hawley, pays homage to servicemen and the “girl of his dreams”, who is wearing a red Velva-Lure suit called “Coquette”.

Jantzen’s first allegiance in 1944 was to country and war production for the government, regular civilian lines were interrupted. Gas masks, bomb parachutes, blankets, sleeping bags, marine swim trunks, army sweaters and mufflers, various carrier bags and flags were among the items they produced for the military and our troops.

Black Magic at it's BEST!

2011-10-31T16:26:00.001-04:00

In wicked raiment and Jantzen suits called “Wonder Girl”, more enchanting witches would be hard to find. Switching from broomsticks to broomskiis they are seen in a water review casting a spell on the crowd at Cypress Gardens, Florida in 1954. For decades, Jantzen was the official suit of the Gardens, worn by celebrities, staff, for photo shoots and events.

Wickedly Spellbinding!

2011-10-31T16:10:00.001-04:00

A sorceress mermaid casts her magic spell wearing an alluring suit of Lastex faille called “Olympus”. Her supernatural wand is disguised as a broomstick to avoid suspicion. The photo is by legendary Silver Springs underwater photographer Bruce Mozert.

The suit, produced 1959-1964 is by Jantzen of course...

Happy Enchanted Halloween!

NEW HORIZONS: Swim designs of the jet age

2011-09-30T11:11:00.001-04:00

Jantzen partnered with Pan American World Airways to promote global glamour with the only American jet airliners flying at the time. The revolutionary era of passenger jets was born and with it exciting fashions for exotic destinations. The ad combines the stunning International Set, a collection of swimsuits from Jantzen design studios on five continents with Pan Am ports around the world and a promise to any beach in minutes.

Each swimsuit represented its country of origin; each airliner was identified by name, call signs and a blue globe logo. Credited with cutting edge innovations, Jantzen and Pan Am were industry leaders and icons of the 20th century...a jet age dynamic duo.

Women’s Wear Daily, August 27, 1958

The Stork Club Orchids

2011-09-16T12:11:00.002-04:00

Before the Playboy nightclub chains, the Stork Club in New York was the epitome of American elegance and sophistication for night life. From 1929 until 1965 the club was the icon of American culture. It became the symbol of the elite of cafe society as movie stars, celebrities, showgirls, aristocrats and the wealthy mingled together.

In 1945, the movie, The Stork Club, was produced starring Betty Hutton, Barry Fitzgerald and Don DeFore. In a series of studio tryouts the above models were selected as “the Stork Club Orchids” to appear in the movie in a fashion show sequence. For their daily work out they can be seen wearing the 1945 Jantzen swim line reflecting their status with the latest in styling and glamour.

Happy Birthday to “America’s Mermaid”

2011-08-12T15:57:00.001-04:00

Esther Williams is a famed movie star known for her “aqua musicals” but she is also a retired competitive swimmer having set many national and regional records in her late teens. In 1940 she participated in the National Swimming Championships for Women and the 1940 American Olympic Tryouts at Jantzen Beach Pool in Portland, Oregon. She also appeared in Jantzen’s 1942 swimsuit catalog as a model.

In the 1950s Jantzen was the official suit worn at the beautiful Cypress Gardens in Florida, the sight of many photo shoots, television specials and water show performances. Esther appears at a pool named for her in a suit called “Chez Monaco”. It is from Jantzen’s 1957 line and features shoe button fastenings at the halter neckline.

She also wears “Summer Shimmer”, a shiny knit lame suit made with Mylar yarn that stays bright and flexible in the water. Additional Jantzen suits from 1957 can be seen around the Cypress Gardens pool.

In 1958 Esther visited Jantzen while taking part in Portland’s well known Rose Festival. She is pictured with Paul DeKoning (L) and founder J.A. Zehntbauer.

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!

2011-07-04T22:15:00.003-04:00

The colors belong to the United States, red for courage, white for peace and blue for freedom. All across America they will be worn and flown on Independence Day, the 4th of July. The “smile” belongs to Jantzen and the legendary ad campaign and slogan that began in 1960 and continued for a decade. So let the fireworks begin, the marching bands march and the “star spangled banner” fly. There is no better way to celebrate than with “a smile and a Jantzen”.

Jantzen Week

2011-07-01T14:48:00.002-04:00

This is National Jantzen Week...hot, sweltering days, just in time for the fourth of Julyand getting away to summer camps or the seashore.Don’t forget to take your Jantzen, “the suit that changed bathing to swimming”.In department stores across the nation, Jantzen is “the National Swimming Suit”,promoting the sport in favored colors, with patented features insuring a perfect fit.This is the week that will prove it as seen in this ad in The Saturday Evening Post, June 30, 1923. Illustration by McClelland Barclay.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice!

2011-06-21T17:53:00.001-04:00

Summer is here and there is no better way to dive right into our favorite season than with the summer solstice, the longest beach day of the year! The summer solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year when the Sun's apparent position in the sky, as viewed from Earth, reaches its northernmost or southernmost extremes.

The name is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, the apparent movement of the Sun's path north or south comes to a stop before reversing direction.

What this means to us sun lovers is that we get more time to relax on our favorite beach and kick off the summer right! Why not enjoy those extra hours and extra rays in a Jantzen? We'd have it no other way!

I pledge allegiance...

2011-06-14T17:05:00.001-04:00

I pledge allegiance...

For over 200 years the U.S. flag has been the symbol of our nation’s strength and unity.

Before the American Revolution each of the thirteen colonies had its own flag. On January 1, 1776, George Washington ordered the first Grand Union flag hoisted near his headquarters in Boston. On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress resolved that the flag should have thirteen red and white stripes and a union of white stars on a blue background. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14th as Flag Day, and a national day of celebration. The 50th and last star was added in 1960 for the new state of Hawaii. Often called “Stars and Stripes” or “Old Glory”, the original designer is not known for certain.

The above photo from 1943 shows a beautiful flag being raised at Jantzen Knitting Mills headquarters in Portland, Oregon. One of the founding fathers, Roy Zehntbauer and Australian cadet, Ron Sharp, share the honor. Flags for our armed forces in Australia and the South Pacific were among the many war products manufactured by Jantzen during WWII.

Happy Flag Day!

Pretty Little Lady

2011-06-09T14:49:00.001-04:00

The Jantzen Archive has a new little lady and she is a doll. She first appeared in the 1958 catalog sporting the most fashionable and glamorous swim caps of the day. She is wearing “El Dorado”, a glitter cap of gold metallic cloth from the same year. Retail price $6.95

Created by Maury Wolf and David Vine, mannequin makers in L.A., she is a little sister to the famous 21’ Jantzen fiberglass Diving Girls which were displayed around the world in 1959.

Glamorous then...glamorous now

Button, button, who's got the button?

2011-05-19T17:15:00.002-04:00

“Button, button, who’s got the button?” ask the children who have played this traditional game for more than a century. The first buttons appeared over 3,000 years ago and were originally used for decoration. Functional buttons for clothing made their debut in Europe in the 13th century. Buttons of great value and artistry were worn in France by the aristocracy; the peasants were permitted to use only cloth. In 1520 King Francis I of France, bedecked with 13,600 buttons, met King Henry VIII of England who was similarly covered with the elite symbol of status and ornamentation.

This fabulous sheath of black Lastex faille is total glam with the adornment of shining white buttons. It was produced by Jantzen 1953 and named “pick-a-pocket”. The retail price was $19.95. Our ancestors in the Bronze Age got it right to begin with and so did we, proving that the button and the brand remain timeless representatives of status and beauty.

White River Valley Museum Exhibit

2011-05-13T14:52:00.002-04:00

Jantzen will be on display at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn Washington for their "Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini and Tummy Crunches" exhibit celebrating a century of female bodies and swimsuits. The exhibit opens on May 4th and will be available to the public through July 31st. Here is a sneak peek:

Family and the green suit, will go on forever.

2011-05-06T12:37:00.001-04:00

There are some things about childhood that make a lasting impression...a favorite person, a nostalgic time, indelible memories. Aunt Virginia’s green swimsuit is a classic example. “Old Green”, as the article by Penny Ward Moser mentions, was worn year after year, decade after decade dispensing tireless consistency and love. The beloved suit became the symbol of stability and was cherished by a third generation in the hopes that the “family and the green suit will go on forever”

Made of nylon Moire for fast drying, this featherweight suit could face any situation. Jantzen produced the “Postage Stamp” in 1953, so named because “that is about the size and weight of it in the hand”. It is a swimsuit powerhouse, beautifully shirred and stylish today with a glamour legacy for eternity. National ad illustrated by Pete Hawley.

The Royal Wedding

2011-04-28T11:39:00.004-04:00

In anticipation of the royal wedding the photos of William and Catherine on London buses recalled this image of the double- deckers from by gone era. The iconic Diving Girl has displayed a strong presence in London since the construction of the Jantzen Plant on Great West Road in Brentford in 1929. The illuminated exterior of the building featured her in neon and was a landmark for decades. A description and image of her on the building appeared in Anthony Powell's novel "Dance to the Music of Time" and in recent years in a display at the Wallace Museum in London. She can be seen in Jantzen ads in "Punch", "Sketch" and "The Tatler" as far back as 1929. The Diving Girl adorned London buses throughout the 1930s as pictured here and reappeared on them again in the early 1990s and also on miniature replicas produced by Jantzen.

Jantzen 2011 Behind the Scenes

2011-04-21T14:16:00.001-04:00

We are proud to share with you a behind the scenes glimpse at our 2011 campaign shoot. Hope you love the footage as much as we do!

Check out the new Jantzen You Tube channel to stay up to date with all our behind the scenes action.

Vive la V

2011-04-13T17:07:00.004-04:00

“Long live the V neckline! The most universally becoming neckline ever to come from a designer’s sketch pad”

This text from Jantzen’s 1958 advertising booklet was illustrated with this gorgeous suit of Lastex faille. The “Scarf Ring” sheath features gentle side shirring and gathers draped fullness into scarf ring loops. The timeless “V” combined with Jantzen’s signature color of the iconic red Diving Girl presents a fashion classic...beautiful then...beautiful now.

Enter to Win: Jantzen's Glamorous Getaway

2011-04-08T16:37:00.004-04:00

Now is your chance to win Jantzen's Glamorous Getaway! Win a 4-day, 3-night stay at the luxurious Boca Raton Resort & Club, one of the country's premier resort destinations, where our 2011 campaign was shot on site.

The winning stay includes a 50-minute massage for two and dinner for two at 501 East Restaurant serving burgers, steaks and popular American favorites. Resort amenities include an award-winning spa, 7 swimming pools, a half mile of private beach, world class dining, three fitness centers, a private marina, two championship golf courses and one of the country's top tennis programs.

Visit our website to enter: Jantzen's Glamorous Getaway

The contest runs through June 1st, 2011. Please visit our site for official rules.

In honor of Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-25T10:19:00.002-04:00

In her honor we present this lovely photo of Elizabeth Taylor. It appeared in Photoplay Fashions in 1951 to advertise her latest movie “A Place in the Sun”. She wears a white pique beach dress over a coral Jantzen swimsuit for her role in the movie. The cover up was designed by academy award winning designer Edith Head. The stunning suit worn by her is appropriately named Shirr-Fire and was part of Jantzen’s 1950 line. A classic suit worn by a classic beauty...both elegant and timeless, the epitome of timeless glamour.

St. Patrick's Day Green

2011-03-18T09:39:00.000-04:00

For the wearing of the green on St. Patrick’s Day and everyday, shades of green are in the fashion forefront. The brand again offers timeless trends as seen in this vintage ad and suit. Beautifully illustrated by artist Pete Hawley in 1951 the ad appeared in the June issue of Life Magazine. The suit is called "Hot Stuff" and combined the new Stay bra and a shirred top. The swimsuit also appeared on the cover of Mademoiselle Magazine in May and was described as the “latest shape in swimsuit, the sheath”...there’s nothing like a Jantzen.

Origin of the French Curve

2011-03-11T10:58:00.003-05:00

The year is 1949. The New York Yankees win the World Series. “South Pacific” opens on Broadway and Americans buy 100,000 television sets a week. “Diamond’s Are A Girl’s Best Friend” is a song favorite. Revlon introduces “Fire and Ice” lipstick and nail polish and the strapless swimsuit is the latest sensation.

This is the year for Jantzen’s® provocative French Curve, in soft shades of Seal Lastex that “lifts and molds with no earthly need for shoulder straps”. The suit, which retails for $12.95, is illustrated by artist Pete Hawley and appears in Jantzen® national ads in Mademoiselle and Seventeen Magazine. The French Cure is still fabulous today in a reinterpreted version of the original for Jantzen’s® current line.

2011 French Curve Maillot

10 Top Must Haves

2011-02-25T10:00:00.002-05:00

Spring is the air and our Jantzen® marketing team has collaborated to bring you their top ten list of this season's must have items.

1. Clio's Cougar 3 ways to wear bandeau top and skirted bottom from the 2011 Jantzen® collection of course! This suit is perfect for the beach.

2. Kiehl’s #1 Lip Balm- because it’s really moisturizing without being sticky.

3. Clinique Sun SPF 50 face cream – because it is protective not greasy and is also good for sensitive skin!

4. Aviator sunglasses!

5. The Kindle, makes reading a breeze!

6. A digital camera to snap shots of our friends and family or anything that inspires us. We really love the Olympus- Stylus Tough it’s waterproof up to 16 feet, really compact, and is 14 megapixels so it takes great shots!

7. A fabulous hat.

8. A reusable water bottle, to keep hydrated.

9. Cute sandals, and a cover up for lunch after the beach.

10. Our great Jantzen beach tote to put it all in!

Swim Cap Glamour

2011-02-18T11:58:00.003-05:00

Jantzen’s® earliest swim caps in the 1920s were knit of wool worsted yarn in shades that matched the color of their swimming suits. The intent was to protect the hair and keep water filters from becoming clogged as swimming pools became popular throughout the country. Gradually swim fashion began to dominate swim function and sparkling colors and striking styles began to emerge. The heyday was seen in the late 1950s as caps with colorful petals, flowers, ruffles and innovative designs came into vogue. The 1960s marked the last decades for demand of swim caps and by the mid 1970s they were no longer required for public pools.

The striking Head Swimmer cap that is featured here was produced by Jantzen® in 1960. It is a strapless cap with a contrasting flower and it retailed for $1.98.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2011-02-09T14:02:00.003-05:00

No matter what your relationship status is, celebrate Valentine’s Day because there is much to love in the world! The color red is linked to love worldwide and at Jantzen® red has been our signature color over 100 years. The rationale behind this red-hot color is that a lady in red always looks timeless, elegant and glamorous. And men have been writing songs and poetry about it for decades.

So, whether you’re single or hitched, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to flaunt your sexy red suit.

And when it comes to bestowing tokens of love this holiday, we can’t think of a better gift than a red swimsuit; it’s sexy, stylish and chic. Our personal faves in the red arena are our bejeweled halters with shirred bottom, the one piece Heritage Maillot, and the Pretty Pin-Dot Halter Bra and Shirred Bottom. These Jantzen® suits will certainly turn heads… and hearts!

Lots of love & Happy Valentines Day!

XO,

Jantzen®

From The Archives: 1950's Wonder Girl

2011-01-28T13:51:00.001-05:00

Appropriately named “Wonder Girl”, this stunning sheath recently became a new addition to the Jantzen Archives collection. It is a classic beauty of elasticized taffeta shirring designed to flatter any figure and “make a body beautiful”. Rapidly becoming a best seller, it appeared in the line continually from 1951 through 1960 making it one the longest produced Jantzen swimsuits in history; truly a great run. This is swimsuit perfection at its best. The “Wonder Girl” continues today as an inspirational suit for our designers and our current collections which reference our historic suits.

The image features the “Wonder Girl” suit on the Wolf and Vine mannequin in 1956.

AS SEEN IN: VICTORIA’S SECRET 2011 SWIM ISSUE

2011-01-21T14:26:00.002-05:00

Our Jantzen corset one piece is now available at Victoria's Secret. It can be seen in the new 2011 Victoria’s Secret Swim issue or online. Check it out!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-23T15:23:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays to all and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

Jantzen in the Designer Spotlight

2010-12-16T16:34:00.002-05:00

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!

2010-11-19T16:23:00.004-05:00

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

2010-11-11T18:03:00.003-05:00

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

2010-11-05T09:35:00.004-04:00

‘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

2010-10-29T15:10:00.005-04:00

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

2010-10-18T14:43:00.003-04:00

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

2010-10-08T16:26:00.006-04:00

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

2010-10-06T17:22:00.003-04:00

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

2010-08-05T17:26:00.003-04:00

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

2010-05-20T13:57:00.001-04:00

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

2010-04-27T12:18:00.001-04:00

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

Art Institute of Portland: 100 Years of Glamour

2010-03-17T09:46:00.006-04:00

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

2010-03-05T17:24:00.008-05:00

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.

Jantzen Goes Red in Parnternship with the American Heart Association

2009-09-23T09:26:00.000-04:00

As Jantzen gears up to participate in the American Heart Association’s Red Dress show, October 15th in Miami, we want to share some helpful heart tips with you.

Did you know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women? Meaning us gals need be sure to exercise each day and make healthy choices! A perfect use for your Jantzen is swimming. If you can make the time to swim some laps each day, it will do your heart a lot of good: When you swim breast stroke or backstroke, you're burning around the same amount of calories as a fast walk or a slow jog.

Be sure to wear your Jantzen to the beach barbeque, but remember to eat baked, not fried. For example: Take an average potato, bake it, and you have 110 calories and 0 grams of fat. Take that same potato, turn it into french fries, and you have 380 calories and 18 grams of fat.

We invite you to take the Go Red Heart Check-Up today at https://www.goredforwomen.org/hcu/login.aspx

Thank you to our friends at the American Heart Association for bringing awareness to women everywhere about heart disease prevention.

"Faking It"

2009-08-28T16:04:00.001-04:00

There are a few tricks to “faking it” in a swimsuit (hiding areas, drawing attention to areas, etc.). Designer Lisa Dixon explains:

Here are a few that I think really work well:

1- If you want to draw attention away from your hips, look for a suit that has a lot of “action” at the top. By “action” I mean fabulous hardware at the shoulders or neckline, or any kind of intricate treatment at the neckline, shoulder or bust area. This naturally brings the viewer’s eyes up and away from the problem area.
You can also choose a suit with wider straps; this will broaden the look of your shoulders, helping hips look narrower.Suits that are darker at the bottom are visual minimizers, so try not to wear very light colors on the bottom; keep the light colors at the top of the suit.Solid dark bottoms and printed tops also work well to draw attention upward.

2- If your upper portion is broad or you are very busty and your legs are thin you want to try to “balance” the difference. To create a balanced look you can opt for a skirted bottom; a flippy, flirty skirt would work well. Even a two-piece with shorts will add the volume that you need to the lower part of your body to balance the top. You can also choose a suit with a wide, square neckline to narrow the shoulders.
And always get a suit with the proper support for a large bust: underwire, sized cups and endurance backs (t-backs) are a good option.

3- If you have a straight figure without much of a waist, you can create the illusion of a smaller waist by choosing a suit with a belted waist or a cummerbund look.Princess-seamed suits create a bit of an hourglass look and also elongate the torso.My personal favorite way to create a smaller waist is to use shirring at the waistline; it creates a waist and also hides the tummy.

4- If you want to create the illusion of a larger bust you have a few options:
The first would be to choose a suit with a padded bra or cookie inside the bra.
Another option is to choose a suit with either ruffles or shirring at the bust, which creates a fuller look. (This trick also works well if you want to create a rounder bottom – but on the backside, obviously.)

Now that you’re armed with these tricks of the trade, enjoy playing up your assets, ladies!

Top 10 Travel Must-Haves

2009-08-12T17:12:00.000-04:00

Top 10 Travel Must-Haves (Jantzen Senior Designer Lisa Dixon’s tips for what to take on that beach vacation)…

Every time I go on a tropical vacation I always tell myself that I’ll only pack what I know I’ll need, yet nevertheless I always wind up with 2 giant suitcases filled with things that never get worn – usually never even get taken out of the suitcase – and I am almost always over weighted at the luggage counter.

I finally made a list of must-haves and I am promising myself that I will actually abide by it next time (at least I will make every attempt to!).

# 1- at least 3-4 different swimsuits (Jantzen, of course!)

# 2- at least 3-4 different cover-ups such as sarongs/pareos/tunics (the pareos are great; they can be worn wrapped around your swimsuit or also tied into a dress that looks good enough to wear to lunch and around town, etc. And you can never go wrong with a great tunic or big shirt)

# 3- sun dresses! This is probably what you will be wearing most of the time anyway, since they are lightweight, airy and perfectly tropical.

# 4- a pair of flip flops; 1 or 2 pairs of nice sandals that look great with a dress, pants or shorts; and a pair of water/trekking shoes that can be worn in rocky waters but can also be worn if you plan to do some sporty activity like hiking or biking

# 5- as far as pants/shorts go, opt for lightweight linen or cotton and capris – don’t pack jeans because they almost never get worn (it’s just too hot). If you plan to bring camouflage-printed shorts or military fatigues be sure to check ahead on the destination’s rules, as some Caribbean countries do not allow them.

# 6- a few good t-shirts/tank tops or, in my case, halters tops (I live in halter tops)

# 7- a fabulous straw beach hat to accent your glamorous Jantzen suits and a baseball cap for sportier days

# 8- a hoody or sweater just in case you get caught in a sudden tropical storm

# 9- a digital camera so you can post all your fabulous shots on Facebook

# 10- the largest pair of movie star sunglasses you can find – it’s all about the glamour!

# 11- (sorry I just couldn’t do it in only 10!) A great straw/beach bag with a zipper (or at least a zipper compartment) for money, passport, etc.

Don’t worry about sunscreen, bug spray and all those liquid toiletries. Unless you are going to the most remote destination I am sure they will sell them at the local drugstore, and you won’t have to worry about them leaking in your luggage (For some reason mine always leak. I swear sometimes I think the TSA guys loosen them as a joke.).

Don’t forget to pack anything that that you cannot live without (medicines, must-have cosmetics, etc.) in your carry-on, as you won’t want to be stranded without those things if the airlines lose your luggage.
You may also want to put a swimsuit in your carry-on so that you can begin your vacation while the airline is arranging to get your luggage to you.

Leave expensive jewelry at home since you don’t want to have to worry about it and it will look out of place in a tropical place anyway. Opt for tropical shell and semi-precious stone jewelry or buy some while you’re there.

Have fun, look great and send us some pics in your Jantzen!

Jantzen's Summer Reception

2009-07-31T11:08:00.005-04:00

On Saturday July 18th Jantzen held a reception for all retail partners and local media at the Wolfsonian-FIU on Miami Beach. Guests enjoyed delicious food, induldged in "Jantini's" and had a chance to view the 6th floor exhibit where 100 years of Jantzen history is currently on display now through October 11th.

Here at Jantzen we are excited for the 2010 collection (seen on models below) to hit stores. A new addition this season will be the Heritage Collection where vintage suits are used as inspiration for new suits, now we can all channel our inner "Pin Up girl" of the 50s or even our "Groovy Goddess" of the 70s!!

Stay tuned Jantzen fans....

Visit "Beauty on the Beach: A Centennial Celebration of Swimwear" July 10 - October 11

2009-07-14T13:50:00.000-04:00

Jantzen will showcase their 100 years of fashion in partnership with The Wolfsonian–Florida International University beginning July 10th during a thirteen-week exhibition entitled, Beauty on the Beach: A Centennial Celebration of Swimwear. The exhibition will highlight materials such as original artwork by noted artists, advertisements, packaging and bathing suits, and celebrity swim suits. Jantzen, always a leader in international exhibits, looks forward to sharing their treasures with a whole new generation.