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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 8 Collections and/or Records:

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 professional papers, approximately 1938-2004

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains materials which pertain to the professional work of Rose Marie Reid. Includes clippings advertising her swimsuits in newspapers and magazines, sketches and design books, awards, catalogs, and legal files. Also contains records of lawsuits and acquisitions, as well as actual swimsuits and wigs designed by Reid. All materials pertain to the success of her swimsuit designs and other fashion designs. Dated approximately 1934 to 2004.

Dates: approximately 1938-2004

Rose Marie Reid promotions, approximately 1947-1966

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains promotional materials on Rose Marie Reid's fashion collections. Includes instructions for salesgirls on how to sell swimsuits, and pamphlets about the suits. Promotional materials relate to selling new Lycra suits, knit suits, and a variety of other styles. Contains magazines and other publications showing the positive view of Reid's company and the naming of the Rose Marie Reid rose. Dated approximately 1947 to 1966.

Dates: approximately 1947-1966

Rose Marie Reid swimsuits, approximately 1938-1980

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains original swimsuits designed by Reid. Includes several with her new elements, including tummy control, boyshort bottoms, Lycra, and knits. Also includes some swimsuits sewn with gold thread or gold leaf for glamour purposes. Dated approximately 1938 to 1980.

Dates: approximately 1938-1980

Rose Marie Reid wigs, approximately 1964-1966

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains files on Reid's small line of wigs. Includes papers on how this got started, as well as catalogs and advertisements for the wigs. Also includes actual wigs sold by Reid. Dated approximately 1964-1966.

Dates: approximately 1964-1966

Filtered By

  • Subject: Swimming X

Additional filters:

Subject
Latter Day Saint women 7
Women fashion designers 7
Advertisements 4
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) 4
Publications 4