Archive for the Category »The Designer «

1941 Sketches, Irene at Bullocks

irene-lentz-sketch-adele-balken-1941-bullocks2 irene-lentz-sketch-adele-balken-1941-bullocks2 irene-lentz-sketch-adele-balken-1941-bullocks3 Many thanks to Christian for sharing these lovely sketches.

They are from 1941 when Irene still had her own label at Bullock’s. Two are signed by Adele Balken, who was her sketch artist at the time.

View more by Christian at The Silver Screen Modiste, all about costumes and fashions of old Hollywood movies and the designers that created them.

Irene’s sketch for Marlene Dietrich

Irene sketch for Marlene Dietrich My thanks to Bret for sharing this wonderful press photo of an Irene sketch for Marlene Dietrich from “The Lady Is Willing” – 1942.

<- Click for a larger view.

The back of the sketch reads:

"An unusually chic town suit, designed by Irene, is worn by Marlene Dietrich in Columbia picture “The Lady Is Willing.” Black silk bengaline is the fabric, cut with a narrow skirt and flared peplum jacket, it embodies the high style notes of the season. A vest of white bugle beads adds further elegance to the costume. (MARLENE DIETRICH #13)

Photos of Irene with Easter Parade Sketches

Thanks to Christian Esquevin for sharing these beautiful photos of Irene from her MGM studio days. Below, she is holding her sketches from one of my favorite movies – Easter Parade. Click the photos for a larger view. You can see more of wonderful classic Hollywood at Christian’s Silver Screen Modiste.
Irene & Easter Parade sketches Irene & Fabric MGM

From Bret’s collection of Irenes

I’ve had the pleasure of receiving, and adding to the website, more photos and descriptions of Irene’s Designs from Bret’s personal collection. Thank you Bret!

Below are some of the newest additions to the site. To view much more of Bret’s collection of Irenes, and learn more about Bret himself, please click here.

Irene’s Satin Floral Gown at Decades

Our sincere thanks to Decades Inc. for sharing images of Irene’s gorgeous satin floral gown. This garment is currently being featured at DecadesMelrose Ave. Los Angeles. The image above is from Decades Blog. Click on it to view their original post about Irene and this incredible gown. Additional views below.

Several Irenes from Fowler Collection

Many thanks to Bret Fowler, for sharing with us, some of his personal collection of Irene Garments. Included below are descriptions of each piece. Photos display below to show detail. Please click on the individual thumbnails to see a much larger view. I hope to post more from Mr. Fowler’s collection soon. Thank you.. Enjoy!

DRAPED COCKTAIL DRESS, c. 1947-1952
BLACK SILK MARQUISETTE OVER BLACK SATIN-BACK CREPE
LABELED “IRENE EXCLUSIVELY FOR RANSOHOFFS, SAN FRANCISCO”
COURTESY OF BRET FOWLER

LATE DAY SUIT, c.1949-1955
BLACK WOOL TWILL w/ GOLD AND BEIGE HORIZONTAL STRIPES UNDER TIERED FLANGES
LABELED “IRENE EXCLUSIVELY FOR NEIMAN-MARCUS, DALLAS”
COURTESY OF BRET FOWLER

DAY SUIT, c.1950-1955
BEIGE/TAN/GREY MITERED WOOL STRIPE
LABELED “IRENE EXCLUSIVE WITH STIX, BAER & FULLER”
COURTESY OF BRET FOWLER

SEMI-FITTED DAY SUIT, 1950′S
RED AND BLACK STRIPED WOOL w/ MITERED BODY PANELS AND COLLAR
LABELED “IRENE EXCLUSIVELY FOR HARZFELD’S”
COURTESY OF BRET FOWLER

LATE DAY SUIT, c.1947-1952
CHARCOAL AND YELLOW HEATHERED WOOL STRIPE JACKET,
(POSSIBLY POLA STOUT HAND-WOVEN FABRIC)
ASSYMETRICAL FRONT CLOSURE w/ MITERED BUTTON TAB,
COORDINATING CHARCOAL HEATHERED WOOL SKIRT
LABELED “IRENE” AND “28 SHOP, MARSHALL FEILD & COMPANY”
COURTESY OF BRET FOWLER

(INTERESTING NOTE ON IRENE’S ATTENTION TO DETAIL, THE BUTTON HOLES ARE BOUND TO MATCH CENTER OF THE ADJACENT STRIPE)

View More Irenes from Bret’s Collection here..