Brigance, Tom

Tom Brigance (1913-1990) was one of the great sportswear designers of the mid 20th century. He began his design career in Europe, selling designs in France and England. In 1939 he returned to the States, where he became a designer for Lord & Taylor in New York. He remained there until he joined the army in 1941. In 1944 he returned to Lord & Taylor, but left in 1949 to form his own firm.

He became famous for his sporty clothing which incorporated lots of wrapping and draping and used interesting combinations of fabrics and clever prints. He designed suits, coats, and dresses, but it was his bathing suits that made him a household name.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Brigance designed for several firms, including Frank Gallant, Sportsmaker, Gabar, Fonde and Sinclair. He worked into the 1970s.

Written by fuzzylizzie

from an early 1950s halter sundress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1950s dress

Courtesy of bombshellfrocks

from a mid/late 1960s swimset

Courtesy of denisebrain