Rudi Gernreich (1922-1985) was born in Vienna but fled to California in 1938, where he studied in Los Angeles. He worked as a dancer and costume designer before becoming a freelance designer. In 1951 he began designing for Walter Bass and, in 1953, Westwood Knitting Mills. Gernreich produced knitwear that was comfortable and unstructured. He designed under both labels until 1959, when he left to start his own label and to design for Harmon Knits.
He created a short-lived sensation with topless bathing suits in 1964 and made popular knitwear and long, straight, halter dresses. He often used fabrics with geometric patterns and narrow stripes and introduced plastic fabrics in futuristic modes. Gernreich went into semi-retirement in 1968, but continued to produce knits into the early 1970s.
Written by ikonicvintage
from a late 1950s dress
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from a late 1950s wool swimsuit
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from a 1960s silk scarf
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from a mid 1960s dress
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from a 1960s dress
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from a late-1960s jacket/skirt set
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from a late-1960s jacket
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from a 1968 night gown
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from an early-1970s knit dress
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from a 1970s knit dress
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from 1970s evening gown
Courtesy of vintagegents
