Irene

Irene Lentz (1901-1962) was born in South Dakota and as a young woman she went to Hollywood, where she found work as an extra at MGM. She ended up taking design classes and opened a small dress shop. After the death of her husband in 1930, Irene left California for Europe, where she lived in Paris for several months.

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Irene opened another dress shop and she became a popular dressmaker to the stars. In 1935 she started doing custom work through Bullock’s Wilshire, a Los Angeles department store.

Irene had done freelance design work at RKO Studios off and on since 1932 and in 1942 she replaced Adrian at MGM. In 1947, she established her line of ready-to-wear, continuing at MGM until 1949. Many of her designs were produced exclusively for department stores around the country and her label was a huge success. She was best known for her feminine suits and dresses. Irene died in 1962, but the business continued under the design of Hubert Latimer until 1970.

See also: Irene

Written by fuzzylizzie

label used from 1947-1962, with and w/o store name

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1948-1952 jacket

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from an early 1950s dress

Courtesy of dorotheascloset.com

from a 1952 jacket

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from a 1950s skirt suit

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from a 1950s dress

Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from a 1960s dress suit

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1960s dress

Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a mid 1960s dress

Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com