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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:

Rose Marie Reid family papers, approximately 1899-1998

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

Contains clippings and files on Rose Marie Reid's family, including her daughters, Carole Reid Burr and Sharon Reid Alden. Includes a folder of newspaper clippings on the death of her brother and sister-in-law, notes on Reid's ancestors, including Orson Hyde and Matthew Cowley, and Yancey family history. These files also include letters and photographs of their ancestors, of Reid, and her daughters. Dated approximately 1899 to 1998.

Dates: approximately 1899-1998

Rose Marie Reid lawsuits, approximately 1940-1971

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains documents related to lawsuits filed against the Rose Marie Reid company. Includes correspondence between lawyers, tax files for a case in Canada, and rights and royalty information. All the cases pertain to Reid's business and incorporation. Includes contracts and records of the actual cases. Dated approximately 1940 to 1971.

Dates: approximately 1940-1971

Rose Marie Reid missionary work, approximately 1943-1988

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 3 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains the records of Reid's efforts to conduct missionary work. Much of this pertains to her particular emphasis in proselytizing to people of Jewish ancestry, but it also includes other work. Includes drafts of her pamphlet "Attention Israel," correspondence relating to her work, and other booklets relating to her missionary work. Dated approximately 1943 to 1988.

Dates: approximately 1943-1988

Rose Marie Reid personal papers, 1899-1998

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 1
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1899-1998

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 religious work, approximately 1953-1962

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

Contains the documents pertaining to Reid's other religious work. Includes some information on her contribution to the construction of the Los Angeles Temple, particularly the story of the "swimsuit that helped to build the temple." Also includes correspondence with members of the Relief Society and information on her church clothing designs. Dated approximately 1953-1962.

Dates: approximately 1953-1962

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 videos and audiotapes, approximately 1960-2004

 Sub-Series — Box 13: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197233616769], Folder: 1-2
Identifier: MSS 8044 Series 2 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains a few video recordings of Reid swimsuits. Includes two movies that feature Reid's swimsuits on the actresses. Also contains a recording of CBS news from 2004. Also contains one unlabeled audiotape. Dated approximately 1960 to 2004.

Dates: approximately 1960-2004

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

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