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.
1980s Albert Nipon Size 10 Blue Silk Abstract Stiped Vintage 80s Belted Dress
By Albert Nipon
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage 1980s ALBERT NIPON blue abstract striped print silk belted dress ! Features a pleated bodice with black brush like stripes throughout. Bishop style sleeves with buttons ...
$525Sale Price|22% Off
Vintage Albert Nipon 1990s Black Polka Dot Origami Strapless Silk Dress Size 6
By Albert Nipon
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage ALBERT NIPON 90s black strapless silk dress! Features black polka dots throughout, origami pleated side waist detail, and a pleated hem. Such a a flattering little black...
1980S ALBERT NIPON Black Beaded Rayon & Silk Lace Sequined Strapless Cocktail D
By Albert Nipon
Located in New York, NY
1980S ALBERT NIPON Black Beaded Rayon & Silk Lace Sequined Strapless Cocktail Dress With Taffeta Waist Bow
Amazing Graphic Silk Crepe Dress, Albert Nipon
By Albert Nipon
Located in New York, NY
Super Graphic SIlk Crepe Dress with an amazing vibrant print by Albert Nipon NY. Easy to wear with elastic waist and tucked bodice which release into ...
Nipon Boutique Pin Tucked Floral Dress
By Albert Nipon
Located in New York, NY
Charming Nipon Boutique Pin Tucked Floral Dress with self belt. Pin tucked on bodice and puff sleeves with ruffled hem. Back zip entry with wide scoop neckline. Size 8 Vintage. 1980'...
Albert Nipon Plum with Grey Mini Circles Pleated Skirt Shirtwaist Dress 1970s
By Albert Nipon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Albert Nipon plum with grey mini dotted circles, pleated Shirtwaist Dress from the 1970s. Button front dress with a Peter Pan collar that has attached narrow ties at the neck. Yoke ...
Albert Nipon Wonderfully Elegant Ivory Borders "French Lace" Silk Scarf
By Albert Nipon
Located in New York, NY
Albert Nipon wonderfully elegant ivory with "French Lace" silk scarf with rolled edges, measures 32 inches by 31 inches. Made in Italy.
1980s vintage Gold tone Dress
Located in Capri, IT
1980s Gold tone Dress Totally made in italy in italian size range M
S/S 1986 Azzedine Alaïa Black Knit Halter Neck Bodycon Backless Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Azzedine Alaïa dress from the Spring/Summer 1986 collection is knit in black with a fitted bodycon silhouette and halter neckline. The back is fully open with a deep scoop, clos...
MOSCHINO Vintage Crochet Knit Black Midi Dress 1990s
By Moschino Cheap and Chic
Located in Genève, CH
Discover timeless elegance with this vintage Moschino crochet knit black midi dress from the 1990s. Featuring intricate floral mesh embroidery, this ...
2000S ROBERTO CAVALLI Grey & Purple Psychedelic Silk Kaftan
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in New York, NY
2000S ROBERTO CAVALLI Grey & Purple Psychedelic Silk Kaftan
$6,790
Size: Measurements in description
ISSEY MIYAKE 1997 Guest Artist Series No. 2 Nobuyoshi Araki Purple Dress
By Issey Miyake Guest Artist
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
A pleated polyester 'Appear' dress with image by Nobuyoshi Araki, Guest Artists Series No. 2, 1997 Guest Artist Series No.2 label, printed to front and back with a photograph of a Ja...
$500Sale Price|37% Off
L 46.5 in
Amethyst Abstract Floral V Neck Dress with Matching Full Sleeve Cropped Jacket
By Barbara Tfank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dreamy, magical floral for amethyst lovers! Whimsically abstract on a textured rose gold ground - a unique combination . A V neck high waisted slim dress with matching full sleeve cr...
PRADA, Silk Peacock Appliqué, Limited Ed. Runway Collection Dress, S/S 2005
By Prada
Located in Kingston, NY
100% Silk Taffeta Authentic Prada Spring 2005 Runway Collection y2k Peacock Applique Dress. Silk printed fabric with appliqué peacock. Tie back wit...
NWT F/W 2005 Roberto Cavalli Runway Sculptural Velvet Satin Bustier Flare Dress
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a sculptural black Roberto Cavalli dress. From the Fall/Winter 2005 collection, this dress was part of runway look number 56 on Jaunel McKenzie. She was also photographed ...
Chanel Faux Pearl Embellished Lace Dress 38 New
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Merced, CA
Rare to find Chanel lace dress adorned with faux pearl. It is in new condition.
$339Sale Price|74% Off
Size: 38
Vintage Moschino Cheap and Chic 1990s Women's Cotton Dress with Quotes
By Moschino Cheap and Chic
Located in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR
Rare vintage 1990s Moschino Cheap&Chic dress. In a white cotton with an amazing print of inspirational quotes and poetry. Sizes: IT 42 FR 38 US 8 UK 10 Marked FR 38 but runs t...
Chanel 2016 Ribbon Embellished Mini Dress Little Black Dress 36
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Merced, CA
Chanel ribbon embellished little black dress with Chanel interlocking CC logo emblem and from pockets. This is pre-owned in excellent condition.
Moschino 'Anni Di Kaos' Iconic Print Velvet Dress, c. 1997
By Moschino Cheap and Chic
Located in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR
Moschino Fashion History 'Anni Di Kaos' Iconic Print Velvet Shift Dress, c. 1997 Rare vintage 1990s Moschino Cheap&Chic dress. In a black velvet with an amazing print of fashion his...
Sold
Size: 4 (Best Fits Size 4-6)
Albert Nipon Navy Blue Silk Organza Evening Dress With Gold Bows, 1980's
By Albert Nipon
Located in Atlanta, GA
1980's Albert Nipon navy blue silk organza evening dress with bands of gold accented by bows. The ultra feminine design zips and hooks at the bac...
ALBERT NIPON c.1970’s Burnt Orange Gold Metallic Caftan Dress + Belt Sash
By Albert Nipon
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALBERT NIPON c.1970’s Burnt Orange Gold Metallic Caftan Dress + Belt Sash Circa: 1970’s Label(s): Albert Nipon / ILGWU Int. Ladies Garment Workers Union Style: Caftan dress Color...
Albert Nipon 1980s Gucci Style Bow Neck Button Down Dress
By Albert Nipon
Located in New York, NY
Albert Nipon 1980s Gucci Style Bow Neck Button Down Dress
Albert Nipon Gucci Style Plaid Silk Dress
By Albert Nipon
Located in New York, NY
Albert Nipon Gucci Style Plaid Silk Dress
1970’s Albert Nipon Ivory Dupioni Silk Dress With Lace Details
By Albert Nipon
Located in Atlanta, GA
This ladylike ivory dupioni silk dress by Albert & Pearl Nipon is loaded with lovely details typical of the Albert Nipon label. The smock style collarless dress zips at the back and features side pockets, pintucking and lace inserts at the bodice with additional lace on the full sleeves. A coordinating tie belt serves to define the waist though the dress takes on more of a bohemian vibe when worn sans belt as shown in photograph 9. Perfect as a warm weather frock with casual flats or dressed up with a feminine heel ... this design would also be pretty as a casual wedding dress...
1970's Albert Nipon Pintucked Gingham Plaid Dress Set
By Albert Nipon
Located in Atlanta, GA
This girlish red, natural white and blue gingham plaid two piece dress set by Albert & Pearl Nipon is loaded with lovely details typical of the Albert Nipon label. The top has a...
1980s Strapless Albert Nipon Demi-Couture Silk Dress with Bows
By Albert Nipon
Located in New York, NY
Bands of luscious duchess silk in rich jewel tones adorned with large satin bows is the principle design element to this fun little dress by French designer Albert Nipon. Fully lined...
Albert Nipon Steel-Gray & Black Stripe Domain-Sleeve Silk Pleated Ensemble
By Albert Nipon
Located in New York, NY
Albert Nipon's wonderfully elegant two-piece steel-gray & black silk domain-sleeve pleated ensemble is detailed with detailed top-stitching on the collar. The center-front as we...
Albert Nipon Cotton Floral Multi-Colored Tiered Summer Dress
By Albert Nipon
Located in Studio City, CA
Albert Nipon cotton multi-colored floral summer dress with tiered skirt, spaghetti straps, square neckline, elastic waist and side zipper closure. In excellent condition - please see...
Albert Nipon for I Magnin Vintage Black and Pink Sequin Ostrich Feather Dress
By Albert Nipon, I Magnin and Co
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage 1970s / 70s ALBERT NIPON for I. MAGNIN black cotton velvet dress! Features an embroidered, encrusted with hundreds of hot pink fuch...
Glam C.1980 Albert Nipon Pink Charmeuse Dress With Black Velvet Details
By Albert Nipon
Located in Atlanta, GA
What a beauty! Lovely example of Albert & Pearl Nipon's ability to create an elegant and yet comfortable dress with details galore. The ballerina pink charmeuse fabric contrasts ni...
1970s Albert Nipon for I. Magnin Vintage Pleated Burgundy Dress
By Albert Nipon
Located in Sparks, NV
Deep burgundy dress by Albert Nipon for I. Magnin. Pin tuck pleats, full balloon sleeves and wrap around sash. Details: Unlined Front Slit Pockets Button Front Closure Mark...