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.
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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
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 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...
S/S 1999 John Galliano Stretch Knit Sheer Flare Black Sweater Dress
By John Galliano
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This John Galliano dress from the Spring/Summer 1999 "Ballets Russes" collection is cut in a fitted silhouette in black open-knit that flares at the hem. It features thin knit straps...
Jane Andre 1950s Full Skirt Dress
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great black dress by Jane Andre in a cotton linen blend. It has cap sleeves, a drop waist and full skirt. There is fine band around the crew neckline and ...
Oscar de la Renta 1990s Size 8 Blue + White Tie Dye Vintage Sleeveless 90s Dress
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1990s OSCAR DE LA RENTA blue and white tie dye print patchwork Size 8 cotton dress! Features a blue and white tie dye with an array of shades of blue throughout. Tiered fitted b...
Scaasi Boutique Silk Ruffle Off Shoulder Dress 1980s
By Scaasi Boutique, Arnold Scassi
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk ruffle dress by Arnold Scassi. It is made of black dot flocked silk tulle In ruffled layers around the shoulders and 3 tiered layers creating the skirt. There...
Christian Lacroix 1980s Beaded Silk Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful black silk cocktail dress from Christian Lacroix with elaborate beading and sequins in magenta, rose, silver and red. The pointed bodice has beaded spaghetti straps and i...
$850
Size: Small - Medium
Amazing 1970s Nautical Navy Blue + Gold Anchor Patch Vintage Jersey maxi Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage 70s navy blue + gold anchor patch long sleeve jersey maxi dress! Perfect navy blue color matches anything, and is great all year. Gold anchor patch above left breast....
Herve Leger Purple Bandage Dress
By Herve Léger
Located in Paris, FR
1990s Herve Leger purple knitted bandage dress featuring a short length, pleats on the body, front bands yokes details, a center back zip on a brown ba...
Betty Carol 1950s Sculptural Dress
By Mamselle, Betty Carol
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous dress from Betty Carol in light weight black wool and silk taffeta. It has a V neckline front and back with fabulous princess seaming creating a fitted silhouette through...
Alexander McQueen Geometric Color Block Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful dress from Alexander McQueen in back and beige stretch bandage fabric. It is sleeveless with a V neck flattering with the strategically placed lines of beige cinching th...
Courreges 1960s Color Block Dress
By André Courrèges
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful color block wool dress alternating panels of black and royal blue from Courreges. It is an A-line dress flaring subtly to the hem and has a stand up collar, back zipper,...
$695
Size: vintage 8; compare to size XS-S
Ceil Chapman Burgundy Velvet Quilted Metallic Brocade Day Dress - XS 1960s
By Ceil Chapman
Located in Tucson, AZ
Painfully good, from its rich color to its quilted skirt to its crisp A-line silhouette. The alluring keyhole neckline can be worn closed during the day and open at night for two dif...
Gianni Versace Leather Lace up Dress S/S 2002
By Gianni Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
An extraordinary and collectible supple black leather dress from Gianni Versace. This has all of the couture details Versace is known for- a fine fringe hem, laser perforated leather...
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...