While browsing the web during my Christmas break I stumbled upon this beauty of a dress on Pinterest…a 1950’s Emma Domb Pink Black Tulle Cocktail Dress (seen below). WOW!

Vintage 1950's Emma Domb Pink Black Tulle Cocktail Dress

Source: 1stdibs.com

After I was finished drooling all over my computer (ha ha), I sat back and thought to myself…”So who was Emma Domb?”

Well for today’s post we are going to learn all about who Emma was, view some vintage advertising & imagery and then see some STUNNING examples (some available to buy right now) of her creations.

Let the fun begin!

Emma Domb Vintage fashion designer 1940s, 1950s 1960s and 1960s

Vintage Fashion Designer Spotlight: Emma Domb

About Emma Domb:

From the Fashion Guild:

Emma Domb was a Kentucky-born dress designer based in San Francisco, California. Beginning in 1939, the Domb Manufacturing Company, owned by Emma Domb and her daughter Lorraine Domb Steinberg, specialized in ultra-feminine “important occasion” dresses at affordable prices.

Domb claimed that her interest in fashion came from creating baby clothes for Lorraine. Soon, she found herself making clothing for other babies. Her designs progressed naturally from toddlers’ and children’s dresses to teen-age party and prom dresses (Party Lines by Domb), then, sophisticated evening wear and, inevitably, wedding gowns. There was even a decades-long relationship with the Miss America pageant, with Domb supplying contestants’ gowns, until 1974 when illness forced her to close her manufacturing plant in Apparel City. The company was dissolved in 1980.

Named after Lorraine and headed by her husband Alan Steinberg, the Lorrie Deb division was added in 1951, with a focus on “young deb” junior size dresses. The popular line was dissolved in 1986 (Source).

1940s Vintage Photo of a model in a 1947 Emma Domb Evening Gown. A debutante’s dream gown that will make its bow in Paris on October 16 – Emma Domb’s bouffant white net frock designed for dancing. Created for San Francisco’s “Fashion Premiere in Paris” on October 16

October 1947. A caption on the back of the photo reads:

A debutante’s dream gown that will make its bow in Paris on October 16 – Emma Domb’s bouffant white net frock designed for dancing. Created for San Francisco’s “Fashion Premiere in Paris” on October 16 (Source).

Emma Domb Vintage Advertising:

1946 fashion ad featuring the sweetest party dress.

1946 Vintage fashion ad for Emma Domb 1940s Dresses.

Source: Flickriver-myvintagevogue

1956 black and white print ad for a wedding gown of tafetta and imported lace by Emma Domb with a matching ballerina bridesmaid dress.

1956 Ad Vintage Emma Domb Wedding Dress Bride Bridesmaid Fashion

Source: periodpaper.com

1950s Fashion Ad.

1950s vintage fashion ad for Emma Domb dresses

Source: evolutionvtg.blogspot.com

Emma Domb 1958 vintage fashion ad for a bridesmaid dress.

Emma Domb 1958 vintage fashion ad for bridesmaid dress

Source: Flickr

A non traditional wedding dress look featuring this dreamy 1960s dress & overblouse.

1960s vintage fashion ad for Emma Domb Wedding Dress 1960s Fashion

Source: Flickr

A 1950’s Bridal party. All dresses by Emma Domb. Stunning!

1950s Vintage Photo of a 1950s Bridal party. 1950s Wedding Dress & 1950s Bridesmaid Dresses. All dresses by Emma Domb

Here is a gorgeous example of a late 1950s early 1960s white nylon chiffon Emma Domb gown that would be perfect for that vintage wedding look or any event.

Late 1950s / Early 1960s Emma Domb Gown-Perfect for a Vintage Wedding. This is a gorgeous late 50s early 60s white nylon chiffon gown. It is short-sleeved with a square neckline. The bust is ruched with a satin band under the bust and little bows at the right side. The waist is fitted and the skirt flares out at the waist.

Source: Etsy – TheRomantiquary

Examples of Miss America Pageant Dresses by Emma Domb:

Marian McKnight, Miss America 1957, in Fuller Everglaze cotton satin dress by Emma Domb.

Source: HAGLEY DIGITAL ARCHIVES

Marilyn Van Derbur, Miss America 1958, in Custom’s Everglaze cotton satin ball gown by Emma Domb.

Source: HAGLEY DIGITAL ARCHIVES

Mary Ann Mobley, Miss America 1959, in Everfast’s Everglaze cotton ball gown and matching stole by Emma Domb.

Source: HAGLEY DIGITAL ARCHIVES

Nancy Anne Fleming, Miss America 1961, in Ban-Lon lace short formal gown by Emma Domb.

Source: HAGLEY DIGITAL ARCHIVES

Real Life Examples of Emma Domb Dresses

(updated June 2024)

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

Vintage Shopping: I have created an Etsy Collection of Vintage Emma Domb dresses from the 1940s-1960’s that is updated as I discover them for sale (Over 50 dresses avail for sale as of March 2023)

1940s Emma Domb Party Line plaid taffeta gown dress.

1940s fashion: 1940s vintage Dress an Emma Domb Party Line Plaid Taffeta Gown Dress

Vintage VTG 1940s 40s Emma Domb Party Line Plaid Taffeta Gown Dress sewing label.

Source: eBay

1940s Striped Taffeta Halter Evening Gown By Party Lines.

Vintage 1940s Dress - 40s Striped Taffeta Halter Evening Gown By Party Lines By Emma

Source: Etsy

If I could own this dress and be able to wear it every single day I would! A 1940s pink and blue full length cotton plaid halter dress with white frilled ruffles. While there is no label this looks like it would be from the Emma Domb Party line.

1940s Fashion / 1940s Vintage Dress: Late 1940s EMMA DOMB Pink and Blue Full Length Cotton Plaid Halter Dress with White Frilled Ruffles

Source: Etsy – FabGabs

1940s Gown. This long dress is another example of her earlier production and is crafted of a beautiful shade of rose crepe.

Source: 1stdibs.com

Gorgeous blue tulle evening gown trimmed with white lace by Emma Domb California. Circa 1950s.

Classic 1950’s dress with a fitted bodice, nipped waist and full gathered flaring skirt.

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950’s Emma Domb Grey chartreuse floral print cotton strapless dress. Stunning example of the “New Look” silhouette.

www.1stdibs.com

1950s Emma Domb coral tulle dress -WOW! (Sold).

Source: Etsy

In need of a Christmas / Holiday Dress? This 1960’s Emma Domb Iridescent green and blue evening dress is perfect! This dress is incredible, it’s made in a heavy weight taffeta that has a green and blue sheen.

1960s Fashion: Christmas / Holiday Dress. This 1960's Emma Domb Iridescent green and blue evening dress is perfect! This dress is incredible, it's made in a heavy weight taffeta that has a green and blue sheen

Source: Etsy-GFRvintage

1950s Emma Domb Gothic black taffeta gown with back wings & rhinestones.

Source: Etsy-THEGIRLCANTHELPITUSA

1950s light blue Emma Domb Ballgown. WOW! Dreamy!

Vintage 1950's Emma Domb Light Blue Ball Gown

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950s Emma Domb black beaded pearl tulle dress (Avail HERE as of June 2024).

Vintage 50s Emma Domb black beaded pearl tulle dress

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950’s Emma Domb aqua blue sequin-leaves applique taffeta tiered gown.

Source: 1stdibs.com

Do you love the above dress? Well I found it on Etsy in a soft rose colour. This dress would make a statement at any party or event you attend!

1950s Fashion: An Emma Domb 1950's Evening Gown in a soft rose with sequins. Stunning 1950s Dress.

Source: Etsy

I can’t get over how gorgeous these dresses are! Here is another one…a 1950s Emma Domb red sequin satin dress.

Vintage 1950s Emma Domb red sequin satin dress

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950s pastel yellow Emma Domb bustier evening gown.

Source: Etsy – LessThanPerfect

An absolutely exquisite strapless original 1950’s party/prom dress in an enchanting confection of cascading baby pink tulle and lace butterfiles.

1950s strapless Emma Domb Pink Tulle Lace Butterflies Party Prom Wedding DRESS Gown

Source: Etsy

1950’s Rose-Garden floral cotton & satin applique sequin gown.

Vintage 1950's Emma Domb Rose-Garden Floral Cotton & Satin Applique Sequin Gown

Source: 1stdibs.com

Bombshell dress alert! 1960s Emma Domb chiffon gown.

Source: Etsy

“Emma Domb” Vintage 1950’s Satin and Sequin Embellished Evening Gown. This is totally my style.

1950s Evening Gown Vintage 1950s Dress by Emma Domb

Source: Etsy

1960s Emma Domb Sequined Crepe Cape Tunic Evening Gown.

Source: Etsy

1960s Floral Emma Domb Dress with a white floral patterned fabric with a sheer robins egg blue chiffon overlay and a wide, ruched turquoise chiffon waist band.

1960s Fashion: 1960s Floral Emma Domb Dress with a white floral patterned fabric with a sheer robins egg blue chiffon overlay and a wide, ruched turquoise chiffon waist band

Source: Etsy

I don’t tend to wear 1970s clothing, but this number I totally would! 1970s Emma Domb candy stripe silk gown.

1970s Emma Domb Candy Stripe Silk Gown Kelly Green 70s Vintage Maxi Dress

Source: 1stdibs.com

Vintage 1950s Lorrie Deb Red Tulle Party Dress. As stated above, in the late ‘50s renowned designer Emma Domb started a dress line under the label name Lorrie Deb and this delightful piece is one such result.

Source: Etsy

I am seriously blown away by how beautiful all these dresses were and I 100% want to add a few to my own vintage clothing collection.

Question Time: Do you own (or owned) an Emma Domb dress? Heard of Emma? What was your favourite dress from above? Share any comments you wish to post in the section below.

Further Reading:

Vintage Fashion 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Vintage Fashion Designers (Archived Blog Posts)

Thanks for stopping by!

Liz

Brief History of Clare Potter

Clare Potter was a fashion designer who was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1903. She studied at the Art Students League of New York and began her studies at the Pratt Institute of Design in fine arts. After seeing clothes that Potter designed and made for herself, the director of the Pratt Institute recommended that she study costume design.

In 1925, before her graduation, Potter left Pratt to work for Edward L. Mayer, a wholesale dress manufacturer in Manhattan, where she spent three years developing her skills and designing mid-market sportswear.

In the 1930s she was one of the first American fashion designers to be promoted as an individual design talent. Working under her elided name Clarepotter, she has been credited as one of the inventors of American sportswear. Based in Manhattan, she continued designing through the 1940s and 1950s. Her clothes were renowned for being elegant, but easy-to-wear and relaxed ( favoring well-tailored linens and burnished wools in pants, shorts, pajamas, skirts and other sportswear ), and for their distinctive use of colour.

She founded a ready-to-wear fashion company in Manhattan named Timbertop in 1948. The company shared its name with the turkey farm in West Nyack where Potter and her husband, architect J. Sanford Potter, lived.

By the mid-1950s Clare Potter worked independently from a barn on her farm. Her later clothes were more tailored and dressy than her earlier designs.

In the late 1950s the Potters moved into a Japanese-style house on Lake Nebo in Fort Ann, New York that was designed and built by J. Sanford. In addition to their professional work, they bred Dalmatian dogs.

Sanford Potter died in 1994 and, at the age of 95, Clare Potter died in 1999 at their home in Fort Ann (Source).