Interview with Marvin Gibian

Length
48:02
Date
Interviewer
Dvorak, John A.
Description

Interview with Marvin Gibian about his family's history in the Kansas City garment industry. He recounts his father's background and work with various garment companies before opening Oakwood Sportswear, a men's and boys clothing wholesaler to shops in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma until it closed in 1964. He discusses the work of selling throughout the region, their business during World War II, and the post-war shift in the industry from small, independent businesses to large chains. He also discusses the role of wholesalers in supporting the large mail order companies such as Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Ward, and National Bellas Hess.

Interviewee
Object Type
Neighborhood
State
Country
Notes
The Historic Garment Industry oral history project was conducted by the Historic Garment District Museum in cooperation with the Kansas City Public Library.
Institution Website
Shelf Location

SC229 Garment Industry Oral History Collection

Digital Object Identifier
MVSC-GARMENT-Gibian-Marvin
Disclaimer
This oral history recording is presented as a historical document of the recollections and opinions of persons living and/or working in Kansas City when the history was conducted. Minor edits have been made to remove pauses, interruptions and verbal tics, and the recording is otherwise verbatim as it was captured. These oral histories represent the thoughts and opinions of the original participants and do not reflect the views of the Kansas City Public Library or its partner organizations in this oral history project.
Use & Reproduction

This material is protected by copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Acknowledgement
This project was funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library.