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 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 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 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 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...
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...
New Lerario Beatriz NYC Cocktail Dress Sz 6
By LERARIO BEATRIZ
Located in Conroe, TX
Lerario Beatriz NYC Cocktail Dress Brand New with Tags Coated Basket Weave Sleeveless Dress Three Way Ties around the neck, crisscross neck or bow-tied at ...
John Galliano F/W 2001 Fur Jacket Blazer & Dress 2 Piece Set Ensemble
By John Galliano
Located in Naples, FL
John Galliano F/W 2001 Fur Jacket Blazer & Embellished Feather Print Silk Dress 2 Piece Set Ensemble Size: the jacket is FR 40, the dress is FR 38
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...
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 ...
$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...
$1,995Sale Price|24% Off
Size: FR38
New Yves Saint Laurent YSL F/W 2009 Runway Wool Lurex Dress Sz FR38 With Tags
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Fall Winter 2009 Brand New With Tags $2650 Butter Soft Runway Wool Lurex Dress FR38 Charcoal & Metallic Lurex Zips Up the Back Hook and Eye Neck Fully Lined...
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...
ZIMMERMANN white silk 2023 HALCYON FLORAL MAXI Dress 0 XS
By Zimmermann
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Zimmermann Halcyon dress in white silk (100%) with a multicolour floral print. Features a sleeveless fit-and-flare silhouette with elegant maxi length, designed with a...
Azzedine Alaia S/S 1991 Tati Runway Houndstooth Gingham Print Mini Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
Azzedine Alaïa’s collaboration with French discount retail chain Tati in 1991 marked one of the first high/low collaborations in fashion history (preceding the likes of H&M x Versace, Target x Rodarte and GAP x Yeezy by decades) and was inspired by artist Julian Schnabel’s use of the brand’s iconic Vichy houndstooth print as a backdrop for a series of paintings. In return for the right to use the print for his S/S 1991 collection, Alaïa created a t-shirt, bag & espadrilles available exclusively for purchase at Tati. The Vichy printed pieces that were worn by supermodels Helena Christensen, Yasmin Le Bon & Elle Macpherson on Alaïa’s 1991...
New Alexander McQueen F/W 2015 Wool Dress $2425 Sz IT 46
By Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New Without Tags Alexander McQueen Heavy Weight Virgin Wool Dress Black Silver and Marigold Embroidered Floral Pattern at Hem $2425 Size: IT 46 The Belt on the Runway is an ...
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...