Irene women's wear sketches, 1945

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: SC.91

Scope and Contents

This collection contains original signed color renderings (gouche, pencil, and pastel) of women's wear by Irene. Four of the drawings of evening gowns are on thin paper mounted to board; these were donated by Doris Duke in 1972, and are dated circa 1945 on the donation receipt. A fifth drawing, signed by both Irene and illustrator Virgina Fisher, depicts a brown daytime suit dress of the style that Irene was famous for.

Dates

Creation: 1945

Creator

Irene, Inc. (Organization)
Irene, 1901-1962 (1900 - 1962) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive. If you wish to schedule an appointment to view this material or have any questions, visit our website.

Conditions Governing Use

The Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive does not own copyright for all material held in its physical custody. It is the researcher's obligation to abide by and satisfy copyright law (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#108) when copying or using materials (including digital materials) found in or made available from the department. When possible, the department will inform a researcher about the copyright status of material, the researcher's obligations with regard to such material, and, wherever possible, the owner or owners of the copyrights. Any and all reproduction of originals is at the archivist's discretion.

Biographical / Historical

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Born in 1900, Irene Lentz moved from Baker, Montana to Los Angeles at the age of 20 to become an actress. Soon after she opened a small boutique on the USC campus. After her first husband's death, she traveled Europe to pursue fashion more seriously. Once she returned to Los Angeles, she opened another boutique at 9000 Sunset Blvd, going by her first name only. Irene gained a following of Hollywood elite which ultimately lead her to begin designing costumes for films. She designed costumes for United Artists and Columbia Pictures in the 1930s while simultaneously running a boutique in the famed Bullocks Wilshire department store. In 1941, MGM hired her to replace Adrian. Irene stayed at MGM until the late 1940s when she wanted to return to her own business. She once again began designing clothes for the public. Her life ended tragically when she commited suicide in 1962 at the age of 61. Irene was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design (B.F.'s Daughter in 1949 and Midnight Lace in 1961).

(The above biographical note was created by former FIT SPARC staff; while no bibliography is present, the content is presumed to have been researched to verify accuracy.)