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 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 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 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 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 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...
Avant Garde 1990s Krizia Metallic Asymmetrical Vintage 90s Silk Skirt Suit
By Krizia
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde early 90s KRIZIA asymmetrical silk skirt suit ! Features warm hues of hunter green, brown, tan and ivory throughout. Asymmetrical hem on the jacket and each collar. Singl...
$695
Size: none; comparable to size XS
Convertible Yellow Floral Circle Dress w Rhinestone-Studded Shelf Bust-XS, 1950s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Wearable with a halter or strapless neckline, this romantic sundress would be the perfect ensemble for a breezy garden party or summer wedding. Ideal for larger busts, the ample shel...
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. ...
$500
Size: none; one size fits most
Blush Edwardian Padded Canton Silk Embroidered Boudoir Robe - O/S, 1900s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Though this robe’s delicate pastel hue and exquisite softness make it an ideal dressing gown, it would be such a shame to hide it behind closed doors. Cut much like a 1950s swing coat, it could easily double for lightweight outerwear or a chic tunic worn over leggings. Collarless drop shoulder robe embroidered with tonal chrysanthemums; wide bracelet length sleeves and hip-high slits both sides. 5 frog closures with brass buttons from throat to waist; fully lined in matching whisper weight crêpe de Chine. fabric: padded Canton silk...
Edwardian Beige Cotton Tulle Exquisite Pintucked Dress With Heavy Lace Trim
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Beige Cotton Tulle Exquisite Pintucked Dress With Heavy Lace Trim
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...
$495
Size: one size; compare to size M
Bohème Rust Mohair Sweater Dress Popover and Midi Skirt Set - M, 1970s
Located in Tucson, AZ
A member of the Royal Society of Arts, fiber artist Kay Cosserat was one of the most prominent and decorated knitwear designers of the 20th century. Her u...
Versace F/W 2011 Runway Mink Fur and Leather Belted Knee-Length Red Jacket Coat
By Versace
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Versace Mink Fur and Leather Belted Knee-Length Red Jacket Coat IT 42 Versace mink fur and leather knee-length red coat featuring floral pattern througho...
Black velvet and wool cocktail dress with jewellery button GIANNI VERSACE COUTUR
By Gianni Versace Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black velvet and wool cocktail dress with jewellery button closure on the middle front and on the cuffs. ( 2 extra button provided) Lining composition probably rayon or acetate. Hook...
1980 NORMA KAMALI leopard printed jersey RUNWAY dress
By Norma Kamali
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Leopard printed jersey dress from Norma Kamali dating to 1980. The dress was designed with a dropped waist and an extremely full skirt. The neckline sits slightly off the shoulder wi...
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Medium
1930s Old Hollywood Black Liquid Silk Satin Bias-Cut Convertible Gown, 1930s
Located in Kingston, NY
Ok
$735Sale Price|20% Off
Size: XS
Bottega Veneta Women's Resort 2024 Chain Halter Draped Dress XS Yellow
By Bottega Veneta
Located in London, GB
Stunning Bottega Veneta draped dress with chain from the Resort 2024 collection. Look 27. Bought for £1595 and unworn with Net-A-Porter return tag attached. Made from sherbet lemon y...
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...