Rudi Gernreich (1922-1985) was a dancer and fashion designer. He revolutionized the acceptance of slacks for women's fashions, created the knit look, the topless bathing suit, the Unisex look, and the thong swimsuit. He also designed the sets and costumes for Bella Lewitzky's Dance Company. The collection includes correspondence, clippings, bills, photographs, family papers as well as clothing, accessories, products, and related items designed by Gernreich.

Gernreich was born on August 8, 1922 in Vienna, Austria; in 1938 he escaped Nazi persecution and came with his mother to the U.S.; in 1939 he joined Lester Horton Dance Company as both a dancer and designer, and finished his education at Los Angeles City College in 1940; took his first collection to New York in 1944 for Harper's Bazaar; revolutionized the acceptance of slacks for women's fashions, created the knit look, the topless bathing suit, the Unisex look, and the thong swimsuit; from 1976-82 designed sets and costumes for Bella Lewitzky's Dance Company; lover of Harry Hay at the time Hay founded the first modern American gay liberation movement, the Mattachine Society, in Los Angeles in 1950-51; Gernreich died in Los Angeles on April 21, 1985.

79 boxes (39.5 linear ft.) 3 cartons (3 linear ft.) 107 oversize boxes

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction Copyright to portions of this collection has been assigned to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. The library can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or quote must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian, Department of Special Collections.] Credit shall be given as follows: [c in circle] The Regents of the University of California on behalf of the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections.

Restrictions on Access PARTIALLY PROCESSED COLLECTION UNAVAILABLE FOR USE: except for boxes 1-84. Inquiries regarding these materials should be directed, in writing, to the Manuscripts Librarian, UCLA Department of Special Collections. COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.