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Nielson (Layne) papers
LSC.2236
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Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Layne Nielson papers
Creator:
Nielson, Layne
source:
Nielson, Layne
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.2236
Physical Description:
16.2 Linear Feet
(14 boxes, 1 carton, 6 flat boxes, and 8 oversize flat boxes)
Physical Description:
6 Video Recordings
(6 unprocessed VHS tapes)
Physical Description:
1 Sound Recordings
(1 unprocessed 12 inch 45 rpm record)
Date (inclusive): 1938-2002
Date (bulk): 1960-2002
Abstract: Layne Nielson is a fashion and graphic designer who designed fashion accessories and stationery for Rudi Gernreich and for
his own label. The collection includes fashion samples and accessories, as well as sketches, publicity, stationery, examples
of Nielson's design work in advertising, photographs, publications, and documentation of exhibitions.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Layne Nielson, 2014.
This collection has been arranged in the following series:
Series 1: Fashion accessories, design, and show production, 1960-2002
Series 2: Graphic design, 1960-1999
Series 3: Photographs, 1939-1990
Series 4: Juvenilia and memorabilia, 1938-1999
Designer Layne Nielson is known for his work designing fashion accessories and stationery for Rudi Gernreich. Nielson's work
reflects a wide range of design, including: graphics, product design, textiles, exhibition design, and interior design.
Nielson was born in Monroe, Utah on March 3, 1938. As a college student, Nielson moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and worked in
the UCLA Library, where he befriended Paul Lenk, a cousin of Gernreich's. Lenk introduced Nielson to Gernreich, who offered
him work if Nielson would learn to design hats. This began a long relationship between Nielson and Gernreich. Nielson worked
both as a freelance designer and as an Assistant Designer to Gernreich at various times between 1959-1985. The foremost expert
on Gernreich, Nielson lectures on Gernreich, has extensive involvement with exhibitions on Gernreich, and began a biography
of Gernreich in 1996.
Nielson's other commercial design work includes stationery design, advertising, and other graphic design. Nielson designed
variously as Layne Nielson Design Company, Nielson Design Company, and Dynasty Collection. He also worked for Hoffman California
Woolens, Wilson/Levin/Kirk, Western Costume Company, Max Factor and Company, Redken laboratories, EGR Travel, and others,
and opened the Layne Nielson/ Selective Eye art gallery.
Source: Nielson's Curriculum Vitae and his autobiographical narrative accounts, Box 26, Folder 1, Layne Nielson papers (Collection
2236). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
8220930
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS UNPROCESSED AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are not currently available for access and will require
further processing and assessment. If you have questions about this material please email spec-coll@library.ucla.edu.
[Identification of item], Layne Nielson papers (Collection 2236). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Collections are processed to a variety of levels depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user
interest and research value, availability of staff and resources, and competing priorities. Library Special Collections provides
a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and resources permit, conducts more intensive
processing. These materials have been arranged and described according to national and local standards and best practices.
Processed by Rebecca Bucher, under the supervision of Megan Hahn Fraser, 2017.
Rebrecca Bucher and Octavio Olvera rehoused scarves and other materials for preservation purposes.
Layne Nielson arranged and inventoried the collection. Nielson also wrote descriptions and contextual biographical notes for
each container.
Rudi Gernreich papers (Collection 1702). Available at UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
Layne Nielson collection on George Hoyningen-Huene (Collection 2232). Available at UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
The collection consists of material related to the career of designer Layne Nielson. Included are fashion design samples and
accessories, sketches, correspondence, publicity, photographs, assorted graphic designs samples, exhibition ephemera, photographs,
and publications. Additionally, there is a small amount of material documenting Nielson's childhood. Some boxes may contain
autobiographical narratives written by Nielson to provide context to items in the collection. The materials date from 1938
to 2002.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Designers -- California -- Archives
Nielson, Layne
Nielson, Layne -- Archives