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Collections

Louella Ballerino
Woman's Playsuit and Skirt, 'Drumbeat'1947

Not on view
Strapless knee-length dress displayed on a form, printed with geometric bands of chevrons, spiral scrolls, and diamond grid motifs in charcoal, ivory, and pale aqua
Strapless mini dress displayed on an invisible form, featuring a bold vertical stripe pattern in black, white, and mint green with flame-like shapes, and a contrasting geometric Greek key border at the neckline; pleated skirt below the waist.
Strapless fitted dress displayed on an invisible form, three-quarter view, featuring printed fabric with vertical zigzag stripes in black, white, and mint green on the bodice, transitioning to geometric and grid-patterned panels near the hem, with a side sash detail.
Designer
Louella Ballerino
United States, active United States, California, Los Angeles, 1900-1978
Design House
Jantzen, Inc.
United States, Oregon, Portland, founded 1910
Title
Woman's Playsuit and Skirt, 'Drumbeat'
Place Made
United States, California, Los Angeles
Date Made
1947
Medium
Cotton plain weave, printed
Dimensions
Length (a) Playsuit center back length): 25 in. Length (b) Skirt center back length): 27 3/8 in.
Credit Line
Gift of Laurel Thornburg
Accession Number
M.2007.194.5a-b
Classification
Costumes
Collecting Area
Costume and Textiles
Curatorial Notes

One of California’s most influential contributions to American fashion was the bathing suit ensemble—consisting of any combination of bathing suit, skirt, shorts, pants, and top of the same fabric to mix and match to fit the occasion. Many fashion designers had an avid interest in regional costume or “exotic” cultures: Louella Ballerino’s striking Drumbeat outfit clearly displays the influence of African textile patterns.



(California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way," 2011-12)

Selected Bibliography
  • Kaplan, Wendy, ed. Living in a Modern Way: California Design, 1930-1965. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2013.
Selected Exhibition History
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". October 1, 2011 - June 3, 2012
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". October 1, 2011 - June 3, 2012
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 20, 2013 - June 3, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 20, 2013 - June 3, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". July 6, 2013 - September 29, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". July 6, 2013 - September 29, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". November 2, 2013 - February 9, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". November 2, 2013 - February 9, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 29, 2014 - July 6, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 29, 2014 - July 6, 2014