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 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 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 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...
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...
1988 Moschino "Kiss My Patch" Embroidered Strapless Polka Dot Dress
By Moschino
Located in Concord, NC
Super fun and whimsical rare 1988 Moschino red and off-white polka dot strapless silk dress embroidered with playful cartoon patches all over the entire dress. An iconic piece of Fra...
Iconic Blondie Jumpsuit 1979 Thierry Mugler
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Rare 1979 Thierry Mugler Jumpsuit as seen on Debbie Harry ( Blondie ) in Shayla music video and performing on Saturday Night Live. Truly a mus...
2000S JOHN GALLIANO CHRISTIAN DIOR Olive Green Silk Chiffon One Shoulder Dress
By John Galliano
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully made with an internal corset to keep the shape of the dress. Some damage due to young rich girls who's mother's taught them no sense of decorum. ...
$7,290
Size: measurements in description
ISSEY MIYAKE 1997 Guest Artist Series No. 2 Nobuyoshi Araki beige Dress
By Issey Miyake Guest Artist, Issey Miyake
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
NOTE: COLOR OF THIS ITEM PLEASE CHECK CLOSE-UP IMAGES (the one with tags) This bold and artistic mini dress features a striking beige base with intricate pleated detailing that crea...
Canada Goose Expedition Hooded Parka
By Canada Goose
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the Canada Goose Expedition Hooded Parka - your key to unbeatable warmth and style! Crafted by Canada Goose, the Expedition Parka is your go-to choice for all adventures. Designed to keep you cozy in the harshest of conditions, the expedition parka is a wardrobe essential for any adventurer. With an array of pockets, it's your perfect companion for keeping essentials at your fingertips, whether you're hiking, traveling, or just out and about. Featuring a drawstring hood and a luxurious natural coyote fur trim, this parka keeps the cold at bay while providing a touch of elegance. Built with a nylon lining, it's engineered to tackle extreme climates and conditions, making it ideal for your winter expeditions. Stand out in the crowd with its striking bright red color. Be both warm and fashionable this winter season! Style this with some Moncler pants, a Louis Vuitton beanie...
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...
Valentino Early 2000s Embellished Suede & Sequin Two-Piece Set
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in North Wales, PA
Valentino Early 2000s Embellished Suede & Sequin Two-Piece Set A stunning early 2000s Valentino ensemble pairing a sandy beige suede cropped jacket with a heavily embellished sequi...
THIERRY MUGLER S/S 1999 Sculptural Collar Evening Gown FR40
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Thierry Mugler Spring Summer 1999 Ruffled Organza Collar Evening Gown with Floral Detail Brand: Thierry Mugler Designer: Thierry Mugler Collection: Spring Summer 1999 Fabric: Crepe ...
Gianfranco Ferré black gown with sheer sleeves, ca. 1970
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in New York, NY
Gianfranco Ferré black gown with sheer sleeves, ca. 1970 Long black wool dress with subtle shimmer featuring waistcoat-style bodice with sheer sleeves. Mermaid skirt features diagona...
Thierry Mugler brown suit with short-sleeved jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Genova, IT
Thierry Mugler brown suit with short-sleeved jacket ABOUT Vintage suit signed Thierry Mugler Active, light brown color, perfect for the warm season thanks to the cotton and viscose...
Thierry Mugler Vintage S/S 1997 Couture Hourglass Bow Detail Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Thierry Mugler Spring Summer 1997 Couture “Les Insectes” Hourglass Dress FR40 Brand: Thierry Mugler Designer: Thierry Mugler Collection: Spring Summer...
Galliano Vintage Pink Silk Chiffon "Boudoir" Slip Dress - Spring/Summer 2009
By John Galliano
Located in Charenton-le-pont, FR
A charming and highly collectible slip dress from John Galliano’s Spring/Summer 2009 Ready-to-wear collection, Baby Doll style. Crafted from delicate powder pink silk chiffon, this p...
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...