Adele Simpson
The American designer dressed first ladies from Mamie Eisenhower to Barbara Bush. The cursive signature with a small star beside the 'S' is the constant tag marker.
- Origin
- USA
- Founded
- 1944
- Category
- Designer & Casual
- Documented eras
- 4
How Adele Simpson labels evolved over time. Match the markers below against the tag in hand to place a garment in its era.
1950–1959
Star-and-Signature Tags
Elegant cursive script in black or gray on white grounds, the small star beside 'Simpson' already present, no extra production detail.
- Classic and elegant cursive fonts, often with a star symbol next to the “S” in Simpson.
- Tags are typically white or off-white, with black or gray embroidery.
- The overall design is understated and timeless, often with no additional information like country of origin or fabric content.
How to spot it
Cursive script with a small star by the 'S'.
Value signal
Strong; 50s Adele Simpson has steady collector demand.
1960–1969
Bolder Cursive Tags
The cursive holds but with bolder lettering, some tags adding 'Design by Adele Simpson' on neutral grounds.
- Continuation of the cursive font, but with slightly bolder lettering.
- Tags may include additional text such as “Design by Adele Simpson” in some cases.
- Tag colors tend to remain neutral, focusing on black or white backgrounds with black or contrasting lettering.
How to spot it
Bolder cursive, sometimes 'Design by Adele Simpson'.
Value signal
Solid; condition-driven resale.
1970–1979
Larger Star-Logo Tags
The cursive is enlarged and the star sits prominently beside the 'S'; some tags introduce red or yellow embroidery.
- The iconic cursive font remains but is sometimes larger and more pronounced.
- Tags often feature the star symbol prominently next to the “S” in Simpson.
- Introduction of some color in the tag embroidery, with red or yellow being used instead of the traditional black or gray.
How to spot it
Larger cursive with a prominent star.
Value signal
Solid; 70s Adele Simpson sells consistently.
1980–1989
Block-and-Cursive Tags
A more modern font replaces the pure cursive on some pieces, blocky lettering creeping in; fabric content and 'Made in Hong Kong' appear.
- Tags evolve to feature a more modern font, though cursive is still used in many cases.
- Occasional use of block lettering alongside the classic cursive, signaling a more contemporary shift.
- Tags begin to include additional details like fabric content and place of manufacture (e.g., “Made in Hong Kong”).
How to spot it
A late tag mixing block and cursive lettering.
Value signal
Common; modest resale.