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.
$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 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 ...
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 ...
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
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'...
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 ...
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.
Vintage Albert Nipon 1990s Black Silk Floral Print Dress US Size 10
By Albert Nipon
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic, preowned vintage Albert Nipon for Nipon Boutique silk dress, likely dating to the 1990s. Rendered in black silk with a vivid floral print thr...
F/W 2000 Emanuel Ungaro Runway Ad Blue Watercolor Silk Chiffon Dress Y2K FR36
By Emanuel Ungaro
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a blue watercolor silk Emanuel Ungaro chiffon dress, designed by the late designer before the ready-to-wear line was taken over by Giambattista Valli. From the Fall/Winter 2000 collection, this gorgeous halterneck dress debuted in red as look number 55 and appeared in the season's ad campaign on Kristen Owen, captured by Mario Sorrenti...
$1,295
Size: 10 (Vintage)
EMILIO PUCCI c.1960's Blue Signature Print V-neckline Long Sleeve Silk Dress
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Thiensville, WI
Vintage c.1960's Emilio Pucci signature print in shades of blue, gray, and cream silk jersey dress. Long sleeves. V-neckline. Yoked waist. Gathered skirt with center pleat detail. De...
Robert Rodriguez Silk Dress with Large Flower
By Robert Rodriguez
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous mint green silk dress by Robert Rodriguez. It has spaghetti straps and lots of diagonal seaming leading to a large petal flower compri...
Gianni Versace Couture Silk Dress with Leather Hip Band A/W 2001
By Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful silk dress from Gianni Versace in an abstract bright pink, taupe, black and white print. It is sleeveless with a V neckline, a top stitched leather inset around the hips...
New Vera Wang Lavender Label Silk Peter Pan Dress Sz 6
By Vera Wang
Located in Conroe, TX
Vera Wang Lavender Label Brand New with Tags * Size: 6 * Ivory Silk Dress with Sheer Black Underlay * Zigzag Stitching & Pleated Details * Sleeveless * Rounded Peter Pan collar * Si...
Yves Saint Laurent Vintage 80s Silk Daisy Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Genova, IT
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent silk daisy dress ABOUT Yves Saint Laurent Variation vintage 1980s, a beautiful lightweight silk dress with floral print, daisies and blue poppies. The d...
1972 Elliette Lewis Purple Cotton Dress Columbo Season 2
By ELLIETTE LEWIS
Located in Paris, FR
Fantastic 1972 ELLIETTE LEWIS (Miss Elliette) thin cotton voile purple dress featuring an off white piping, a center back zip with a center back button. worn by Sandra Smith in Colu...
Vicky Tiel Ruched Strapless Dress
By Vicky Tiel
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous stretch silk net dress from Vicky Tiel Couture in a beautiful shade of green. It has a boned strapless corset style bodice wrapped flatteringly with ruching crisscrossing ...
$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...
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
Size: FR42
New Yves Saint Laurent YSL F/W 2008 Runway Heavy Wool Skirt Sz Fr42
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent New F/W Runway 2008 Skirt Size: FR42 100% Heavy Virgin Wool Black High Waist Fit Diagonal Front Zipper Concealed Button Closure Waist: 30" High Waist Hip: 40" ...
F/W 1996 Gianni Versace Couture Metallic Brown Floral Lace Medusa Mini Dress
By Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Gianni Versace dress from the Fall/Winter 1996 collection is cut in a fitted mini silhouette with a sweetheart neckline, scalloped hem, and low back. It is constructed in metall...
NEW Missoni Metallic Seafoam Blue Crochet Knit Cocktail Dress 40
By Missoni
Located in Switzerland, CH
Get set to shimmer in Missoni's dress. Effortlessly channeling the current aquatic trend, this wonderful style has an underwater sheen thanks to the stunning fusion of sea-green and ...
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...