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'
Category
Don Loper Clothing
American, 1906-1972
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.
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Designer: Don Loper
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...
Category
1940s American Don Loper Clothing
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...
Category
1950s American Don Loper Clothing
DON LOPER 1950's Yellow Silk embroidered Coat and Dress Ensemble Size 2
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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...
Category
1950s American Don Loper Clothing
Don Loper Taupe Silk Wiggle Dress with Polka Dot Lined Jacket, Circa 1950
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
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Category
1950s American Don Loper Clothing
Don Loper Red Wool Coat w/ Black Velvet Collar, 1950's
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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...
Category
1950s American Don Loper Clothing
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...
Category
1950s American Don Loper Clothing
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...
Category
1960s American Don Loper Clothing
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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...
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Silk satin and chiffon with lace built on a boned bodice of rayon, structured and ladylike.
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Sexy and timeless early 1960s sheath Cocktail dress by Don Loper. Satin belt. Bows on shoulder. Classic Audrey Hepburn style. Bust: 36"/ W: 24"...
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Don Loper clothing for sale on 1stDibs.
Find an extraordinary range of authentic Don Loper clothing available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of red and other tones. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Suzy Perette, Isaac Mizrahi, and Hattie Carnegie appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Don Loper clothing from top boutiques around the world. Don Loper clothing prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $400 and tops out at $1,895, while the average work can sell for $895.