1970s Avon Gold Bee Pin | Playful Vintage Buzz

History

Avon began in 1886 as the California Perfume Company, ironically based in New York City.  Founded by David H. McConnell, he built the company on direct selling, a model pioneered by Persis Foster Eames Albee (P.F.E. Albee), one of Avon’s first sales representatives.

A Transformation for Working Women

Albee transformed the business by developing a network of women selling directly to their communities, creating what became known as the “Avon Lady”. Her approach laid the groundwork for modern multilevel marketing (MLM), though Avon’s original structure focused more on empowering independent sellers than recruitment-based commissions.

In 1939, the company rebranded as Avon, inspired by McConnell’s admiration for Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon.

Jewelry

By the 1960s, Avon expanded beyond beauty products and introduced Avon Jewelry, quickly gaining a reputation for affordable, stylish, and collectible costume jewelry. The brand collaborated with designers such as Kenneth Jay Lane, Elizabeth Taylor, and Trifari, producing pieces that remain highly sought after by collectors.

Changing Trends

Through the late 20th century, Avon flourished as both a beauty and jewelry brand, but shifts in consumer habits led the company to move away from its traditional door-to-door sales model. Though it no longer produces jewelry at the same scale, vintage Avon pieces—like the whimsical bee pin—continue to be beloved collectibles, reflecting the brand’s rich history of innovation in both fashion and direct sales.