RSS
Twitter
Delicious
In June 1910, Daily News Record (then called the Daily Trade Record) published a new quarterly supplement titled “Women’s Wear.” Its purpose was to “present to its subscribers a succinct epitomization of the most important happenings and events occurring on the women’s wear industry.” It aimed to “cover the factors between the mill and the merchant.”
One month later, on the 13th of July, the first issue of the newly minted daily paper Women’s Wear, was on sale for just one cent ($3 for a yearly subscription). You’ll see to the left of this article the front page of the premier issue. Click on the image to enlarge and read the original text published 100 years ago today.
The editors thoughtfully chose to introduce themselves with a short mission statement.
TO THE WOMEN’S WEAR TRADES
An up-to-the-minute publication reporting the news and ideas of the women’s wear industries is needed. We have therefore decided to issue every afternoon a daily paper, Women’s Wear, which will fit that need of these trades.
Arrangements have been made with the Daily Trade Record for its extensive news service, of such matters as will interest the women’s wear merchants.
This, together with the exclusive information, news and ideas that will be gathered for Women’s Wear, should make a daily service of real value to the trades it will cover and represent. The price of the paper will be 1 cent a copy or $3 a year.
Communications will be welcomed from everyone with any idea or bit of news interesting to the women’s wear industries of the United States.
Now, a century later, WWD has indeed provided a service of real value to its readers. Considered by many to be the “fashion bible,” it remains one of the foremost publications in the industry. In honor of its 100 years, we will be posting monthly entries from now through November on a variety of topics related to the history of Women’s Wear Daily. Please check back or subscribe for updates!
