Doncaster Review and Profile

Doncaster no longer appears to be active as a direct sales company. Last update Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Doncaster was a women’s apparel company founded in 1931 in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and became one of the oldest women’s clothing direct-sales businesses in the U.S. It sold higher-end women’s clothing through wardrobe consultants, trunk shows, home appointments, and later online ordering.

The company was owned by Tanner Cos. and ran into bankruptcy. In 2018, Tanner Cos. asked the bankruptcy court to convert its January 2017 reorganization case to Chapter 7 liquidation, and reporting at the time said Doncaster was shutting down after 87 years.

Original Npros business profile for Doncaster, preserved below for archival purposes:

From Doncaster website: The Tanner Companies remain true to the entrepreneurial spirit of those who sell Doncaster and élana fashions, and dedicated to delivering beautiful, quality designs to our customers. Through the Tanner Foundation and our Partners in Caring philanthropic program, the company continues to support local, national, and international projects that benefit women and their families. The Tanner family and its associates are dedicated to maintaining the strong relationships that serve as the foundation of the company. They are committed to the continued growth and success of Tanner Companies, but most importantly, they realize the key to success is recognizing and satisfying their customers' needs.