Robert Leonard Corp. (American, 1949-1980s)

The Robert Leonard Corporaion was a Massachusetts-based company with a showroom at 530 Seventh Avenue, New York. It was founded circa 1949 by brothers Robert and Richard BARON, part of a family dynasty that includes Baron Peters Company, Inc., with clothes in a slightly higher price range. Their father and another brother minister to Baron Peters. Robert Leonard existed for about 20 years, but its big success came around 1966. At the time when all fashion stores concentrated on little sizes, Robert Leonard specialized in dresses, coats, and suits in a more conservative style, designed range from size 8 to 20. Thus the company’s business quadrupled in the late 1960s when many women weren’t comfortable wearing the new youthful mini-skirted styles. Diana ADLER was the designer in the late 1960s. The Robert Leonard line was carried by high-end stores such as Lord & Taylor and Bonwit Teller. Robert Leonard clothes range in retail from about $90 for a suit or dress to $175 for an ensemble.