Thrilled to see this post! Babette was a client of mine for several years; I ghostwrote a book for the company's 50th anniversary and spent many happy hours in the Oakland factory observing the pleating machines in action. All the workers earned a living wage. Babette (Pinsky) and her husband Steve are terrific people. AMA!
The largest machine—it was huge—was virtually the same as pleating machines used in ancient Egypt. But much of the pleating was done by hand: two skilled employees working in tandem to carefully fold the fabric before heat-setting it.
I remember Babette. They had a huge warehouse sale when they went out of business and I bought a bunch of stuff but I think I gave it all away since then. I should have kept it and sold it on eBay!
Ahh! I used to be a shop girl at a vintage store in SF. My boss and I (who I am still close with) loved looking for vintage Babette stuff. <3 Loved this piece!
Thrilled to see this post! Babette was a client of mine for several years; I ghostwrote a book for the company's 50th anniversary and spent many happy hours in the Oakland factory observing the pleating machines in action. All the workers earned a living wage. Babette (Pinsky) and her husband Steve are terrific people. AMA!
Oh my gosh! I love hearing that--the pleating machines sound fascinating as well.
The largest machine—it was huge—was virtually the same as pleating machines used in ancient Egypt. But much of the pleating was done by hand: two skilled employees working in tandem to carefully fold the fabric before heat-setting it.
Correction: the book was for the 40th anniversary.
I remember Babette. They had a huge warehouse sale when they went out of business and I bought a bunch of stuff but I think I gave it all away since then. I should have kept it and sold it on eBay!
Ahh! I used to be a shop girl at a vintage store in SF. My boss and I (who I am still close with) loved looking for vintage Babette stuff. <3 Loved this piece!
Love this! Is the store still open? My bff lives in San Francisco
Unfortunately not anymore :( But it was on Polk St!
I want an aunt to text with cool fashion news 😭😭
I love the SS newsletter. So much less spon con-y than the site itself!!