Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Koret of California
- Abstract:
- The Koret of California records document the fashion history of the company, as represented in its rich collection of photographs, portfolios, and advertisements - all of which illustrate the cultural impact and longevity of the company in the fashion industry.
- Extent:
- Number of containers: 17 oversize boxes, 2 cartons, 1 box Linear feet: 9.7 linear feet
- Language:
- Collection materials are in English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Koret of California Records consist primarily of administrative and advertising materials. The records are divided into two series:
- Series I: Administrative
- Series II: Publicity
The administrative files consist of materials documenting the administrative and functional mission of Koret of California. Administrative files include: organizational files, financial materials, clothing design photographs, and clothing line portfolios.
The publicity files contain a variety of materials relating to the public relations and advertising functions of Koret of California including clippings, articles, news releases, catalogs, scrapbooks, photographs, and video cassettes.
- Biographical / historical:
-
In 1938, Joseph and Stephanie Koret founded Koret of California, a women's apparel company, in San Francisco, California. Joseph was the salesman and promoter for the company, while Stephanie was in charge of the design end of the business. In 1946, the company introduced the Koret Trikskirt, a pleated skirt, which sold several million pieces.
In the early 1960s, Koret made a major breakthrough when it developed the Koratron permanent press process, which was used to put permanent pleats into clothing. Koret, soon after, licensed the process to many companies, including Levi Strauss. By the mid-1960s, Koret's royalty revenues from its Koratron process had overtaken revenues from its clothing sales. As such, the company went public and changed its name to Koracorp Industries, Inc. In 1966, Stephanie Koret retired from the company. She later died in 1978.
Over the next several years, royalty revenues from the Koratron patent declined as other companies developed their own processes. After a series of unsuccessful acquisitions, the company was near bankruptcy by 1973. Joseph Koret persuaded Thaddeus Taube, a board member and friend, to take over as CEO in an effort to revitalize the company. Joseph Koret took the post as chairman emeritus. By the mid-1970s, Koracorp had recovered value, thanks to real estate investments and new clothing lines, such as the denim sportswear line - Koret City Blues. Joseph Koret died in 1982.
In 1979, Levi Strauss bought Koracorp. Under Levi Strauss, the Koret label continued - developing new profitable lines, such as the Flatter Fit pant. In 1986, Koret management, along with other investors, acquired the label from Levi Strauss, through a leveraged buy out.
Throughout the 1990s, Koret remained an independent private company and continued producing its various women's wear lines. In 1999, Kellwood Company acquired Koret as a subsidiary.
- Acquisition information:
- The Koret of California records were transferred to The Bancroft Library from the Judah L. Magnes Museum in 2010.
- Physical location:
- Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft LibraryBerkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
- Contact:
- 510-642-6481