1922-1985

Rudolph Gernreich was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1922. His father was a hosiery manufacturer and his aunt kept a dress shop in which Gernreich worked as a teenager. In 1938 with numerous other refugees, Gernreich fled to the USA and settled in California. He attended the Los Angeles City College from 1938 to 1941 and then spent a year at the Lose Angeles Art Centre School. From 1942 to 1948 he worked with a dance troupe as a dancer and costume designer.

In 1948, he became a freelance fashion designer. He toiled for a 7th Avenue firm making copies of Paris couture garments but really hated it. In 1951, he formed a partnership with manufacturer Walter Bass to supply clothes to Jax, a Los Angeles boutique. Some years later, he opened his own company G.R. Designs Inc. which became named Rudi Gernreich Inc in 1964.

In the 50's he produced knitted swimwear without the usual boning and underpinning and he developed the concept into knitted tube dresses. He was awarded the prestigious Coty Award for American designers in 1960.

In the 60's Gernreich proved to be a competent and innovative designer of sportswear for a young market. He made shirt-waist dresses in luxurious fabrics, reversible cape coats and swimsuits without inner foundations. His best known fashion contribution is the Topless Bathing Suit, with straps from a high waistband leaving the breasts open. This was introduced in 1964 to a scandalized world. It was worn by Peggy Moffit, his favourite model.

The "no-bra" bra made of moulded nylon cups attached to shoulder straps and a narrow elastic band encircling the rib cage was another of his innovations. This was cut low in front with deep armholes to be worn with deep décolleté evening dresses. In 1964 corset manufacturers Warner Brothers Co., commissioned Gernreich to design a bodystocking made of flesh coloured stretch nylon.

He was quite creative, he did leggings, designed furniture, stockings, even gourmet soups, as well as clothing for children and menswear.

Gernreich was very much ahead of his time. His boxer shorts for women predated the 80's version by about 8 years. In 1971 he had a Military look collection and showroom models carried rifles. At the time the Viet Nam war was going on. He made today's trends yesterday. He seemed to be 30 years ahead of time.

Rudi Gernreich died in 1985.

In 1992, his favourite model Peggy Moffitt and her husband collaborated and published a book called "The Rudi Gernreich Book" detailing all the fashion ideas of Gernreich and his wonderful clothes. She explained that he was a widely misunderstood fashion prophet, who came up with all today's trends yesterday. To read all about her click on Peggy Moffitt I bought this book at a bargain price on Amazon (used) and you can too if you use the link at the bottom of the page.

In the year 2000, the city of New York decided to honour American fashion designers by placing bronze plaques along 7th Avenue, the great street of fashion in New York. This has been called the "FASHION WALK OF FAME." Rudi Gernreich was one of those honoured, and here is a picture of his plaque.

click below:

The Rudi Gernreich Book by Peggy Moffitt

AW 2002