Summer dress with belt by DANA

Before World War II, Szczecin was one of the major centres of the clothing industry in Germany. The city was home to numerous smaller manufacturers, offering both tailor-made clothing and ready-to-wear garments, as well as larger producers, such as the Wilvorst factory (founded in 1916) and the production branch of the Karstadt department store chain (1919–1945). The Karstadt factory headquarters was located at Pölitzerstrasse 30 (now Wyzwolenia Street). After the war, the building continued to serve the clothing industry. In 1949, it became the site of the State Clothing Works, which was renamed the 22 July Clothing Industry Plant (Zakłady Przemysłu Odzieżowego im. 22 Lipca). Soon after, the factory’s profile changed under its new director, Domicela Mazurkiewicz (1923–2010). She transformed the plant from a producer of men's uniforms and underwear into one of Poland's most respected clothing manufacturers, specialising in women's and girls' fashion, which was also exported abroad. In 1967, the factory adopted the name "Dana", taken from Domicella's first name. The Dana brand quickly became renowned nationwide for its modern collections, which followed contemporary European fashion trends. Iconic styles included banana skirts, dresses, and blouses with floral and folk motifs known as "chłopki" (peasant-style blouses), popular among both "flower children" and pop stars, such as members of the Szczecin vocal group Filipinki. During the 1970s, one of the most fashionable designs was the "fartuch" – a straight-cut shirt dress, buttoned down the front, cinched at the waist with a belt, and available with varied sleeve lengths or sleeveless, typically finished with a collar. The Museum of the History of Szczecin holds a small collection of Dana-brand garments, including an example of this style: a light blue summer dress with short, narrow sleeves, chest patch pockets, and a matching belt in the same colour. Małgorzata Peszko