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 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 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 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 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...
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...
1960s Tina Leser Mod One Piece Vintage Playsuit Romper 60s Swimsuit Flowers
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare early 60s TINA LESER one piece cotton play suit, roper swimsuit! One of the many great aspects about this piece is that it can be worn for so many diffe...
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Red and Gold Metallic Silk Brocade coat with Ostrich
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful Red and gold silk brocade coat from 1990s Jean Paul Gaultier. silky and soft Ostrich feather on collar and sleeve. Coat is lined in gray silk. Coat is in excellent conditi...
Christian Dior 1960s Ivory Velvet Maxi Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Christian Dior 1960s Ivory Velvet Maxi Dress sounds like an exquisite and timeless piece, perfect for adding a touch of luxury and elegance to any wardrobe. The ivory off-white ...
Diane Von Furstenberg Shearling Coat
By Diane Von Furstemberg
Located in London, GB
Diane Von Furstenberg Shearling Coat Burnt orange faux shearling with black, contrasting panelling. Designed with wide lapels, belted waist and A-line silhouette. Rrp Approx. £900 ...
1970s Jean Varon Russet Wool Crepe Cape
By Jean Varon
Located in London, GB
During the 1960s and beyond, English fashion designer John Bates designed visionary modernist clothing under the name Jean Varon. This graceful 1970s maxi-cape, with its ankle-grazin...
$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...
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière Navy Gown, 2008
By Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière
Located in Marlborough, GB
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière navy full-length gown, 2008 An incredibly elegant and architecturally constructed piece, with an internal corset bodice concealed by fluid draping to...
Gucci by Tom Ford S/S 1998 Crystal-Embellished GG Chiffon Mini Dress
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in PARIS, FR
Double-layered mini dress featuring an inner black silk slip and a sheer chiffon overlay fully encrusted with Swarovski rhinestones in Gucci’s iconic GG monogram. Delicately draped n...
Silver Metallic Cable Knit Top and Maxi Skirt Two Piece Ensemble, 1970s
Located in Sparks, NV
Two-piece cable knit ensemble by Hazel Haire by Fredricks Sport in sparkling metallic silver. Wear together or separately! Details: Top Unlined Back Zip and Hooks Closure Marked Si...
Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld Embellished Paillette Dress, FW 1996
By Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi, Fendi
Located in Marlborough, GB
Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld black heavily embellished dress, Fall Winter 1996 Appeared on the runway in numerous looks alongside various sister looks and matching footwear Black nylon-ty...
1960s Alfred Shaheen Romper Brightly Colored Tropical Hawaiian One Piece 60s
By Alfred Shaheen
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare 1960s ALFRED SHAHEEN colorful tropical jumpsuit romper! Features colorful tropical Hawaiian prints throughout. Vibrant colors of orange, purple, hot pink, yellow and green throu...
Vintage 1970s Andre Laug red wool mod coat
By André Laug
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
70s Andre Laug double face wool coat with belt and pocket. color : light red ( slightly pink) Size: Medium - 6 Shoulder to shoulder : 16 inches Bust : 38 inches Waist : 38 inches Hip...
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...