Reid, Rose Marie, 1906-1978
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 12 Collections and/or Records:
Carole Reid Burr and Sharon Reid Alden collection on Rose Marie Reid
Rose Marie Reid advertisements, articles, and photographs, approximately 1938-1988
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.
Rose Marie Reid awards, approximately 1953-1964
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.
Rose Marie Reid catalogs, approximately 1948-1968
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.
Rose Marie Reid correspondence and speeches, approximately 1953-1979
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.
Rose Marie Reid design materials, approximately 1947-1956
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.
Rose Marie Reid personal papers, 1899-1998
Contains numerous documents related to the life and family of Rose Marie Reid. Includes a biography of her life, a collection of sympathy cards on her death, photographs of her home in California, information on her family history, and her personal speeches and correspondence. The speeches and correspondence relate to religion, business, and other topics. Dated 1899 to 1998.
Rose Marie Reid professional papers, approximately 1938-2004
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.
Rose Marie Reid promotions, approximately 1947-1966
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.
Rose Marie Reid swimsuits, approximately 1938-1980
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.
Filtered By
- Subject: Women fashion designers X
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- Type
- Archival Object 11
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Latter Day Saints -- California -- Los Angeles 10
- Latter Day Saint women 8
- Swimming 7
- Advertisements 5
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) 5
- Publications 5
- Audiotapes 4
- Letters 4
- Clothing 3
- Fashion 3
- Photographs 3
- Catalogs 2
- Artifacts 1
- Awards 1
- Books 1
- Business, Industry, Labor, and Commerce 1
- Contracts 1
- Family histories 1
- Fan mail 1
- Fashion -- United States -- History 1
- Latter Day Saint women -- United States 1
- Latter Day Saints -- Alberta -- Cardston -- History 1
- Legal instruments 1
- Medals 1
- Pamphlets 1
- Periodicals 1
- Posters 1
- Programs 1
- Retail trade 1
- Sketches 1
- Speeches, addresses, etc., American -- Latter Day Saint authors 1
- Video tapes 1 + ∧ less