Veterans, We Salute You!

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!

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!

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

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

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”

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!

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”.