Gernreich, Rudi

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

Courtesy of pf1

from a late 1950s wool swimsuit

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1960s silk scarf

Courtesy of Vivavintageclothing

from a mid 1960s dress

Courtesy of glamoursurf

from a 1960s dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

from a late-1960s jacket/skirt set

Courtesy of Vivavintageclothing

from a late-1960s jacket

Courtesy of dollsntrolls

from a 1968 night gown

Courtesy of glamoursurf

from an early-1970s knit dress

Courtesy of Vivavintageclothing

from a 1970s knit dress

Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from 1970s evening gown

Courtesy of vintagegents