Albert Nipon Vintage Jacket

The chic fashion label Albert Nipon began in 1954 as a maternity-wear company founded by married couple Albert and Pearl Nipon in their native city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pearl, who’d been cutting and sewing fabric since she was a child, had previously run a dress shop with her sister before marrying Albert in 1953. When she was pregnant, Pearl found that the available clothes for expectant mothers “looked just terrible,” as she told WWD in 1974, so she decided to design her own line. Called Ma Mère, their company grew into a successful enterprise, eventually home to more than 100 stores nationwide. In the early 1970s, the couple decided to sell the maternity business to focus on a high-end women’s fashion label they named Albert Nipon. Pearl maintained the role of couturier, and her natural elegance and flair for fashion design helped make Albert Nipon an enduring success.

At the time of Albert Nipon’s founding, pantsuits and separates were in fashion. Despite this, the Nipons chose to focus on dresses. Pearl and Albert knew that their dresses — with their woven and natural fibers, intricate details and chic European sensibility — were unlike others on the market. The label would become known for its use of pussycat bows, elegant collars, cuffs, tucks and pleats. Their risk paid off, and at its peak Albert Nipon was generating $60 million in annual dress sales.

Celebrities such as Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara Walters and Rosalynn Carter wore Albert Nipon’s designs, and major retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Lord & Taylor carried the house’s dresses. Pearl Nipon’s instinctive sense of what women wanted their clothes to look like — stylish, feminine, comfortable and with unusual detailing — made Albert Nipon one of the most popular labels of its time.

Find vintage Albert Nipon dresses, scarves and other accessories on 1stDibs.

Clothes are part of an individual’s identity. Personal style is a creative form of self-expression that can make a person feel comfortable and confident. From bell-bottoms and oversize tie-dye dresses to denim jackets and leather pants, the fashion world has changed greatly over the years. Still, many looks never go out of style, and certain vintage and designer suits, outfits and ensembles can prove just as timeless.

Think of heavy, warm sweaters: They immediately evoke a specific sensation of cold, winter mornings, hands cupped around a steaming mug of coffee or tea as fog rolls idly across the Irish moors. The design of Aran wool sweaters dates back generations, yet they remain in vogue today.

Then there are iconic fabrics, such as gingham. Originating in Asia, this fabric is known for its overlapping stripes. It was first imported to Europe in the 17th century and then was woven in 18th-century England — Manchester, specifically — where it was given the checked pattern with which it is associated today. It’s an enduringly popular choice for all types of ensembles, from vintage swimwear and rompers to three-piece suits.

Vintage and designer suits, outfits and ensembles convey style, whether dressing up or down.

From understated jumpsuits and vibrant knits to classy jackets and elegant skirts, a range of fashionable garments for any occasion can be found on 1stDibs. Browse clothing by leading designers like Chanel, Versace, Prada and many more today.