David Hayes (1931-2019) was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. After serving in the US Marines he moved to Los Angeles to become an actor. After some success in that field, he became interested in fashion, and enrolled at UCLA, where he received a degree in Fashion Design. He began his fashion career in the 1970s as lead designer for DeGraff of California. After 7 years there, he established his own label, and by the early 1980’s, his suits, dresses and evening wear were being carried by upscale department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Hayes’ designs were popular with the Hollywood elite. His client list was a Who’s Who that included Audrey Hepburn, Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor, Estée Lauder, Sophia Loren and Joan Collins. He was widely known as First Lady, Nancy Reagan’s favorite designer. In 1981, he was inducted into the Los Angeles Fashion Hall of Fame, and he continued to flourish into the early 2000s, when he relocated from downtown to a lavish new studio and showroom in Beverly Hills.
Written by Ranch Queen Vintage
from a 1980s blouse
Courtesy of Claire Shaeffer
from a 1990s skirt suit
Courtesy of Claire Schaeffer
