Don Loper was a Hollywood fashion designer who lived his life like the main character of a movie. He called himself a "quintuple threat," referring to his ability to dance, choreograph, direct productions and design clothes and accessories. When it came to his garments, Loper preferred an Old Hollywood style, and today, vintage Don Loper evening dresses, day dresses and coats exude grace and glamour.
Loper was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1906 as Lincoln George Hardloper. It is not known when or why he changed his name. He also told many tall tales about his childhood, claiming to have been a skilled dancer by the age of three and designing dresses in his father's shop by the age of seven. Over the 1930s, he danced in Broadway performances and, in 1942, produced a show at the Copacabana Nightclub in New York.
In 1943, Loper chased stardom to Los Angeles and began dancing in motion pictures, appearing in Lady in the Dark, Pleasure and Sofia. In 1946, he also opened his own couture salon on Sunset Boulevard. Loper was by then a tabloid sensation, and many designers and movie stars turned up for the opening-day event. Later that same year, his ensembles were featured in Vogue.
Loper was a highly successful designer, with such high-profile clients as Lucille Ball, Lana Turner and Ella Fitzgerald. He was a commercial success as well, creating flight attendant uniforms for Trans World Airlines and Pan American Airways. Loper also worked as an interior designer. In 1947, he was contracted to decorate the new ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel.
In 1951, Loper moved his store to Rodeo Drive, decorating it with luxurious carpets and draperies. Over the subsequent decades, he continued designing dresses for starlets while branching out into menswear and accessories until his death in 1972. Today, several of Loper's beautiful designs are featured in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Find vintage Don Loper clothing on 1stDibs.
Don Loper Taupe Silk Wiggle Dress with Polka Dot Lined Jacket, Circa 1950
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful silk shantung dress with under bust/high waist tab button detail, with a fitted waist and slim hip. Fully lined in peach acetate. Featu...
DON LOPER 1950's Yellow Silk embroidered Coat and Dress Ensemble Size 2
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Don Loper design features two pieces composed of silk. The coat features an embroidered pattern and an open draped style. The classic style dress has short sleeves with a peplum...
Don Loper day-to-evening dress
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sexy little day dress in cream wool with green accents. Very 'Mad Men'
DON LOPER 1950's Yellow Floral Embroidered Cocktail Dress with Belt & Bow Size 2
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Don Loper design is composed of a yellow embroidered floral print fabric. Features a center back of the neck bow. There is a center back zippre closure. In excellent vintage con...
Don Loper Red Wool Coat w/ Black Velvet Collar, 1950's
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is vintage and collectible coat from Don Loper. It is made from a rose red wool with a black velvet collar and is lined in a red crepe. T...
Don Loper Black Cocktail Dress, Circa 1940
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage black cocktail dress by Don Loper, from the 1940's. The dress has gathering detail down the side seam, a fitted waist, hooks at the top shoulder, and a zipper at th...
Don Loper 1950's Day-to-Evening Black Cocktail Dress, Winona Ryder Size 2-4
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a lovely vintage little black cocktail dress made by Don Loper, from the collection of actress Winona Ryder. It is made of wool, and has a long sa...
Don Loper Black Long Sleeve Wool Back Zip Dress Fur Cuffs & Side Slit Size 6
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very charming 1960's vintage cocktail dress from Don Loper. It is a sheath silhouette with long sleeves and real fur at the cuffs. There is piping on the princess seams. Th...
Moschino Couture Beije Wool Skirt Suit
By Moschino
Located in Capri, IT
Moschino Couture Beije Wool Skirt Suit Moschuino couture beije wool and cachmere skirt suit totally made in italy in italian size range 46 Measurements: Skirt lenght 52 cm Jacket...
$12,255
Size: FR 34 - UK 6 - IT 38 - XS
Gucci by Tom Ford monogram canvas and leather pant suit, fw 2000
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in London, GB
Gucci by Tom Ford; monogram canvas and tan leather pant suit. Flared high-rise pants with leather waist band and zip closure attaching both legs together....
Chanel 97P Spring 1997 Most Wanted Runway Logo Dress 40 NWT
By Chanel Boutique, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Merced, CA
Chanel Spring 1997 runway dress adorned with CC logo throughout and back closure with Chanel interlocking CC logo buttons. It is new with tag.
$5,203
Size: IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6
Alexander McQueen dusty pink wool skirt suit with lace inserts, ss 1999
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Alexander McQueen dusty pink wool skirt suit with lace inserts on the front and back of the jacket reflecting details from the runway show. The skirt features two deep slits at the f...
Roberto Cavalli Runway Sequin Sun Evening Gown and Cape F/W 2004 Size 40IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli - Sequin runway evening gown with Swarovski crystal embellished sun cape. Neckline presents a sharp daring plunge to the navel. Th...
Joseph Magnin 1960s Vintage Tartan Plaid Mini Dress, Wool, XS Size
By Joseph Magnin Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Label: Joseph Magnin Circa: 1960s Color: Tartan Plaid Vintage plaid mini dress. a-line silhouette. vibrant shades of purple, orange, green and yell...
$5,819
Size: IT 40 - FR 36 - UK 8 - US 4
Dolce & Gabbana red stretch-satin coat and skirt set, ss 1999
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in London, GB
▪ Dolce & Gabbana coat and skirt set ▪ Red stretch-satin ▪ Mid-length coat with a two-button closure at the bust ▪ Notched lapels ▪ Matching knee...
Roberto Cavalli Vibrant Black Sequin & Beaded Evening Gown F/W 2008 Size 42IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli - Vibrant black sequin evening gown. Dramatic, colorful and fun best describes this gown. The upper part of the dress is sheer with black sequin overlay. The fit is ...
Beige Wiggle Dress, Circa 1950s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
vintage early 50s beige & metallic dress. sheath silhouette. short raglan sleeves. v neck collar. decorative bow on the bodice. metallic chevron and horizontal striped pattern. two f...
Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Ascot 40th Anniversary Gown S/S 2008 Sz 2
By Ralph Lauren Purple Label
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Ralph Lauren Purple Label - Full length black and white polkadot skirt and white silk ruffle blouse with waist cinching corset belt. This newsworthy ensemble was on the Spring/Summe...
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Jean Paul Gaultier 2002 Soleil Portraits Long Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Piece Description: This exquisite Jean Paul Gaultier long dress from the 2002 Soleil Portraits collection is a striking statement piece that showcases the designer's iconic blend of ...
CHRISTIAN DIOR off-white viscose TIERED RUFFLED Sleeveless Knit Dress 38 S
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Christian Dior ruffle-panelled knit dress in cream viscose (100%). Opens with a concealed zipper on the side and with two buttons on the bac...
1950S DON LOPER Tomato Red Wool 3/4 Sleeve Coat With Giant Picture Collar
By Don Loper
Located in New York, NY
1950S DON LOPER Tomato Red Wool 3/4 Sleeve Coat With Giant Picture Collar
1950'S DON LOPER Black Silk Duchess Satin Cocktail Dress With Sheer Illusion La
By Don Loper
Located in New York, NY
1950'S DON LOPER Black Silk Duchess Satin Cocktail Dress With Sheer Illusion Lace Panels
Don Loper 1960s Jacket and Vest
By Don Loper
Located in Water Mill, NY
Designer Don Loper of 'I love Lucy' fame created this great vest and jacket set in an off white, black and red check wool. The vest has 4 carved mother of pearl buttons with bound b...
1950s Don Loper Satin and Lace Dress
By Don Loper
Located in New York, NY
Silk satin and chiffon with lace built on a boned bodice of rayon, structured and ladylike.
1960s Don Loper red sheath satin cocktail dress
By Don Loper
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Sexy and timeless early 1960s sheath Cocktail dress by Don Loper. Satin belt. Bows on shoulder. Classic Audrey Hepburn style. Bust: 36"/ W: 24"...
1950s Don Loper Blonde Astrakan Broadtail Fingertip Length Mink Trimmed Jacket
By Don Loper
Located in Gresham, OR
1950s Don Loper blonde astrakan/broadtail fingertip-length double-breasted jacket with mink trimmed collar and cuffs. Braid trimmed buttons. Silk lined.
Incredible Don Loper Vintage 1960s Black Velvet + Wool Striped Swing Coat
By Don Loper
Located in Sparks, NV
Absolutely incredible vintage Don Loper swing coat in blocked velvet and wool panels. Iconic 1960s mod silhouette with a massive 76" bottom sweep. Neckline has a slightly curved shap...
Don Loper Navy Silk Portrait Collar Jacket & Skirt Ensemble Circa 1950's
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fabulous Don Loper jacket, comprised of navy silk shantung, features a perfectly placed portrait collar, three-quarter length bracelet sleeves, and off-center covered buttons do...
Don Loper 1940s Vintage Black Crepe Cocoon Cape Dress
By Don Loper
Located in Sparks, NV
Vintage black crepe dress dress by couture designer Don Loper. Unique ruched empire waist with attached cocoon shaped cape attached. Details: Partially Lined Back Metal Zip an...
1940s Vintage Don Loper of Bevery Hills Charcoal Skirt Suit
By Don Loper
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking vintage 1940s Don Loper of Beverly Hills skirt suit. Features silver buttons up the bodice, and inner snaps at collar. Matching wool ribbon attached at the waist to tie into...
1950's Don Loper White and Black Velvet Trim Checker Plaid Cocoon Coat
By Don Loper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a beautiful Don Loper Coat. The coat is circa 1950's. The cocoon style is contoured by dolman sleeves. This 3/4 length coat features a velvet trim, two front pockets, and fro...
Don Loper Vintage 1950s Floral Print Hourglass Wiggle Dress
By Don Loper
Located in Sparks, NV
Vibrant screen printed wiggle dress by Don Loper from the 1950s in shades of mustard and blood orange. Love the 50s hourglass silhouette and tiny nipped waist! DETAILS: Fully lin...