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!
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!
Vintage Fashion Designer Spotlight: Emma Domb
About Emma Domb:
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).
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.
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.
Source: periodpaper.com
1950s Fashion Ad.
Source: evolutionvtg.blogspot.com
Emma Domb 1958 vintage fashion ad for a bridesmaid dress.
Source: Flickr
A non traditional wedding dress look featuring this dreamy 1960s dress & overblouse.
Source: Flickr
A 1950’s Bridal party. All dresses by Emma Domb. Stunning!
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.
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.
Source: eBay
1940s Striped Taffeta Halter Evening Gown By Party Lines.
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.
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.
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!
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1950s Emma Domb black beaded pearl tulle dress (Avail HERE as of June 2024).
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!
Source: Etsy
I can’t get over how gorgeous these dresses are! Here is another one…a 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.
Source: Etsy
1950’s 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.
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.
Source: Etsy
I don’t tend to wear 1970s clothing, but this number I totally would! 1970s Emma Domb candy stripe silk gown.
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
