Don Loper
Don Loper (April 29, 1906 – November 21, 1972)[1] was an American costume and necktie designer,[2] as well as a screenwriter, choreographer, associate producer, actor,[3] and assistant to MGM musicals producer Arthur Freed. He began his career as a dancer and was teamed with Ginger Rogers in the film Lady in the Dark (1944).[3]
Loper is also known for introducing Judy Garland to her future husband, director Vincente Minnelli (Meet Me in St. Louis).[4] Loper was born on April 29, 1906 in Toledo, Ohio, USA as Lincoln George Hardloper. He is known for his work on It's a Pleasure (1945), Sofia (1948) and Lady in the Dark (1944). He was married to Violet Hughes. He died on November 22, 1972 in Santa Monica, California, USA. Loper's works, some of which were designed for stars like Ella Fitzgerald[5] and Lucille Ball[6] are featured in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art[7] and the California African American Museum.[5] He played himself in an episode of I Love Lucy titled "The Fashion Show" in 1955. Loper would design stewardess uniforms for Pan American Airways.
Death
He died at UCLA Medical Center, California,[3][8] from complications following tracheostomy cuff balloon slippage.
References
- "Don Loper". death-records.mooseroots.com. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- "About". DonLoper.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- "Fashion Designer, Don Loper, Dies". The Dispatch. Lexington, NC. November 22, 1972. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- "Don Loper Bio". In.com. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- "California African American Museum". Trio.caamuseum.org. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- Feitelberg, Rosemary (April 29, 2013). "Dressing With Don Loper at New York Pops Celebration". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- "Don Loper / Evening Dress and Coat / circa 1958". Davidrumsey.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- "Don Loper, Fashion Impresario To Hollywood Stars, Dies at 65". The New York Times. November 23, 1972. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 23, 2017.