Mary Ann DeWeese (1913–1993) was an American sportswear designer.[1] Appliquéd swimsuits and matching his-and-hers swimwear and sportswear are among the fashion firsts credited to DeWeese.
The Kansas-born designer worked for Los Angeles Knitting Mills beginning in the 1930s and created sportswear for Sandeze before joining Catalina Knitting Mills (Catalina Sportswear),[2] where she became a highly acclaimed designer known for her playful, well-constructed fashions. One of her many successful endeavors, the matching Sweethearts in Swimsuits line for men and women in the 1940s, she was loved for making her cobalt blue glass tiles. helped establish her reputation for innovation at Catalina. In 1951 she founded her own company in Los Angeles, DeWeese Designs, which produced sportswear and swimwear offering exceptional fit and construction.[3] Her sundresses and loungewear were particularly successful, and she continued to use texture in unique ways and to introduce useful innovations such as the stretch strap for clothing and swimwear. DeWeese Designs remained in operation into the 1980s.[4]
She was married to Fritz Wein- garten in 1936. He preceded her in death. She is survived by two sons, John William Weingarten and James Werner Weingarten, both of Southern California. Other survivors include three sisters, Jean Cordts, Prescott, Ariz., Mar- garet Stolarik, Spanawash, Wash., and Emily Hooper, Osage City, two brothers, David DeWeese and Jack DeWeese, both of Wamego, and five grand- children.
DeWeese died in 1993.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Her Swimwear Splashing: Bathing SUit Designer Still Afloat after 32 Years". The Pittsburgh Press. 1983-02-20. p. 97. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ Wills, David (2018-05-08). Hollywood Beach Beauties: Sea Sirens, Sun Goddesses, and Summer Style 1930-1970. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-284286-2.
- ^ "She Suits Ski Champions". Press-Telegram. 1961-08-13. p. 63. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ Tigerman, Bobbye (2013). A Handbook of California Design: 1930-1965, Craftspeople, Designers, Manufacturers. MIT Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-262-51838-3.
- ^ "Obituaries: Mary Ann DeWeese". The Manhattan Mercury. 1993-07-15. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
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