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..
Irene is my grand-aunt, and admired for her work in women's fashion and Hollywood costume design. Her talent as a successful clothing designer in Los Angeles led to her long career as a costume designer for many great films in Hollywood.. until her sudden death in 1962. I hope you enjoy your visit.. ~ Karlyn
Thank you so much, Bret and Karlyn! The photographs show such gorgeous details! I can’t get over how the stripes line up in the welts, darts, and pockets upon pockets. Absolutely amazing!
.-= Gidget´s last blog ..Irene Lentz =-.
Bret, these photos and designs are awesome!
Best, Claire Shaeffer
thank you for introducing me to this excellent designer..I love the detailing and design of vintange clothing; and now I love Irene