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Reid, Rose Marie, 1906-1978

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1906 - 1978

Biography

Rose Marie Reid (1906-1978) was a prominent swimwear designer in the 1940s-1950s and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Rose Marie Reid was born on September 12, 1906 to Elvie and Marie Yancey in Cardston, Alberta, Canada. Reid grew up learning to sew alongside her mother. They moved to Idaho when Reid was ten years old. While they lived there, Reid and her mother opened up a small shop called "Rose Marie's" and Reid went to Boise to learn beauty work. She married Garreth Rhynhart in Salt Lake but divorced him in 1935. Reid was then living in Vancouver. She then met Jack Reid and married him on November 30, 1935. Jack had been previously married and had one child. Her introduction to swimsuits came in the 1930s when she started Reid's Holiday Togs, Ltd. The business spread from there. After having three children, Reid divorced her husband in 1946. She then became more interested in growing her business, so she moved to California. By 1956, the business had five regional offices, 1,200 employees, and was making much more money. She designed numerous swimsuits, including a sequined one to help fund the Los Angeles Temple. Reid was also heavily involved in missionary work, primarily with Jewish investigators. She married MacDonald Sommers in 1955, and divorced shortly thereafter due to Sommers' having another wife. Reid was successful in her career, and had a rose named after her in 1955. Reid died on December 19, 1978 in Provo, Utah.

Citation:
Burr, Carole Reid and Roger K. Petersen. "Rose Marie Reid: An Extraordinary Life History." American Fork, UT: Covenant, 1995. (born on September 12, 1906 to Elvie and Marie Yancey in Cardston, Alberta, Canada; grew up there; learned to sew alongside her mother; moved to Idaho when Reid was ten years old; opened up a small shop called "Rose Marie's" and Reid went to Boise to learn beauty work; married Garreth Rhynhart in Salt Lake, but divorced him in 1935; living in Vancouver; met Jack Reid and married him on November 30, 1935; he had been previously married and had one child; introduction to swimsuits came in the 1930s when she started Reid's Holiday Togs, Ltd; business spread from there; three children, Reid divorced her husband in 1946; moved to California; by 1956, the buesiness had five regional offices, 1,200 employees, and was making much more money; heavily involved in missionary work, primarily with Jewish investigators; married MacDonald Sommers in 1955, and divorced shortly thereafter due to Sommers' having another wife; successful in her career, and had a rose named after her in 1955; died on December 19, 1978 in Provo.)

Carole Reid Burr and Sharon Reid Alden collection on Rose Marie Reid. MSS 8044. L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. (designed numerous swimsuits, including a sequined one to help fund the Los Angeles Temple.)

Ancestry.com, May 22, 2012. (Rose Marie Reid, b. 1906, d. 1978). (Born to Elvie and Marie Yancey on September 12, 1906).

Found in 20 Collections and/or Records:

Carole Reid Burr and Sharon Reid Alden collection on Rose Marie Reid

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 8044
Scope and Contents Collection contains materials pertaining to the life of Rose Marie Reid. It contains her personal and professional materials documenting the growth, popularity, and decline of her business in swimwear, including advertisements, legal documents, and swimsuits designed by Reid. Her personal papers include her correspondence, both private and related to her designs, and several speeches she gave as her fame and renown grew. Her ecclesiastical papers discuss her missionary work, contribution to...
Dates: 1899-2004

How to get him and keep him Mormon style

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230323591]
Identifier: MSS SC 2386
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a typewritten pamphlet on how Mormon women can get and keep a good husband. Reid suggests these young women do such things as smile a lot and flatter their boyfriends.

Dates: approximately 1955

Montell Seely sound recordings, 1951-1991

 Series
Identifier: MSS 7950 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains sound recording tapes full of recordings from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetings, the Castle Valley Pageant, and other events. Material dates from 1951-1991.

Dates: 1951-1991

Rose Marie Reid acquisitions, approximately 1965-2001

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains files on the acquisitions of the Rose Marie Reid company, and other companies' acquisitions of Rose Marie Reid. Includes documents on trademark transference, correspondence between lawyers, Reid and her daughter Carole, invoices, and contracts. Includes references to the Sirena Apparel Group, United Merchants and Manufacturers, and several other companies. Dated approximately 1965 to 2001.

Dates: approximately 1965-2001

Rose Marie Reid advertisements, articles, and photographs, approximately 1938-1988

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains various clippings from newspapers and magazines about Rose Marie Reid swimsuits. Includes advertisements for her swimsuits and other clothing, as well as articles on the rise of the company and Reid herself as a designer, mother, and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated approximately 1938 to 1988.

Dates: approximately 1938-1988

Rose Marie Reid awards, approximately 1953-1964

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains records of Rose Marie Reid's awards. Includes photographs and articles about her success, especially the American Sportswear Design award and Designer of the Year award. Also contains collections of programs from these awards ceremonies, photographs of Reid accepting the awards, and a couple of actual medals and a trophy. Dated approximately 1953 to 1964.

Dates: approximately 1953-1964

Rose Marie Reid catalogs, approximately 1948-1968

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains catalogs for Rose Marie Reid's swimsuit collections. Includes some of her early catalogs for the Canadian line, as well as later ones. Also contains catalogs from her juniors' collection of teen swimsuits, and from collections featuring her swimsuits under different labels, such as the Marina del Mar collections. Dated approximately 1948 to 1968.

Dates: approximately 1948-1968

Rose Marie Reid correspondence and speeches, approximately 1953-1979

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains speeches given by Reid and correspondence to family and friends. Speeches were given at various locations, including church groups, schools, and civic centers. Also includes many speeches given at Brigham Young University. Speeches pertain to business and life success, religion, and beauty. Correspondence pertains to her life and legacy. Includes letters from fans who attended her speeches. Dated approximately 1953 to 1979.

Dates: approximately 1953-1979

Rose Marie Reid design materials, approximately 1947-1956

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains design materials for Rose Marie Reid's business. Includes sketches of her plans for designs, design books with scraps of fabric to match each design, and photographs of the dresses with inventory information. All materials pertain to her swimsuit lines. Dated approximately 1947 to 1956.

Dates: approximately 1947-1956

Rose Marie Reid ecclesiastical papers, approximately 1943-1988

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 3
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to Rose Marie Reid's ecclesiastical work. Includes materials pertaining to her effort to conduct missionary work among Jewish people, including drafts of her pamphlet "Attention Israel" and collections of visual aids she found helpful. Also includes her correspondence relating to the creation of the booklet and some reflections on her experiences. Also contains her work related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including documents on her...
Dates: approximately 1943-1988

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 18
Collection 2
 
Subject
Latter Day Saints -- California -- Los Angeles 15
Women fashion designers 12
Latter Day Saint women 10
Letters 9
Swimming 8