Layne Nielson papers LSC.2236

Finding aid prepared by Rebecca Bucher, supervised by Megan Hahn Fraser, 2017.

UCLA Library Special Collections

Online finding aid last updated 2020 September 16.

Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library

Box 951575

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575

spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

URL: https://www.library.ucla.edu/special-collections

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.

Conditions Governing Access

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.

Arrangement

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

Biographical History

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

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.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Layne Nielson papers (Collection 2236). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Processing Information

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.

Related Material

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.

Scope and Content

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

Series 1: Fashion accessories, design, and show production 1960-2002

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Scope and Content

Fashion accessories, design and show production includes fashion and accessories designed by Nielson, as well as related publicity. Also included are exhibition ephemera and correspondence, and writings and publications by Nielson that relate to his career in fashion design. Additionally, this series includes sketches, videos, advertisements, correspondence, ephemera, and clippings related to costumes designed by Nielson, and shows produced or directed by Nielson.

box 26, folder 1

Collocation of box inventories and narrative accounts undated

box 3, folder 6-7

Fashion press clippings, Max Factor design, and exhibition photographs circa 1960-1969, 1974, 1989

Scope and Content

Includes a design for Max Factor that was never produced, fashion press clippings with design credits, and Metropolitan Museum of Art Apropos Apron exhibition photographs.

box 4, folder 2-10

Editorial publicity, The Rudi Gernreich Book, and Los Angeles Chamber Ballet Cocktails with Joey materials undated

Scope and Content

Includes Rizzoli and Taschen editions of The Rudi Gernreich Book and Nielson's response to it as well as Rudi Gernreich: A Retrospective with inset photographs. Also includes editorial publicity, correspondence, and clippings along with Los Angeles Chamber ballet Cocktails with Joey design notes, a list of scenes, and transparencies.

box 5

Accessories portfolio, exhibition photographs, and publications 1964-1988

Scope and Content

Includes a portfolio of fashion accessories for Rudi Gernreich, design photographs for Rudi Gernreich: A Tribute exhibition at Otis/Parsons, and publications with design credits.

box 8

Max Factor Futuro promotion scrapbook 1973-1974

Scope and Content

Scrapbook includes clippings, correspondence, photographs, and press kits. Also includes family correspondence from the Futuro tours and Playboy's Creative Menswear International Designer Collection 1974 catalog featuring Gernreich's Futuro designs.

box 9

Promotion files and scrapbook 1975-1976, 1986

Scope and Content

Includes files for Nielson's work for Max Factor on An Echo of Deco, for Redken Laboratories, and for May Company at Saluting the California Woman. Files include clippings, correspondence, programs, and press kits.

box 10

Correspondence, clippings, and documentation related to the Rudi Gernreich collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art undated

box 11, folder 4-6

Cocktails with Joey materials and Rudi Gernreich exhibition clipping 1999, 2001

Scope and Content

Includes Cocktails with Joey press clippings, correspondence, and working drawings. Also includes an article by Beth Moore on a Rudi Gernreich exhibition.

box 12, folder 1-8

Publications, Dynasty Collection materials, and museum exhibition materials undated

Scope and Content

Includes publications with design credits, fashion history books, Dynasty Collection lingerie venture records, fashion accessories, and museum photographs. Also includes museum exhibition ephemera, clippings, programs, and photographs.

box 13, folder 1-4

Editorial publicity 1960-1969

box 14

Wool knit and leather knapsack 1967

box 15

Wool knit sweaters 1967

Scope and Content

Two sweaters designed for Harmon Knitwear but not produced.

box 16

White Breton hat for Carol Channing 1968

box 17

Black velour toque 1967

box 19, folder 1-4

Dance costume sketches 1999-2000

Scope and Content

Includes sketches for costumes for Los Angeles Chamber Ballet Cocktails with Joey and Ririe/Woodbury Dance Company Let's Dance.

box 21, folder 1-7

Fashion publicity in periodicals 1967-1968

box 22

Invitation, interview, and promotional videos 1967, 1998, 2000

Physical Description: 6 Video Recordings(6 unprocessed VHS tapes)

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Scope and Content

Includes a boxed invitation designed by Nielson to celebrate Gernreich's receipt of the Coty Hall of Fame Award, a VHS of an interview with Nielson to promote a Gernreich exhibition, and five VHS tapes promoting Cocktails with Joey.

box 23, folder 3-4, 9

Lecture announcements, essays by Nielson, and a monograph 2001-2002

Scope and Content

Included among the essays is an excerpt on Marian Anderson from Nielson's Gernreich biography.

box 24, folder 1-5

Publications 1969, 2000-2001

Scope and Content

Two Fashion Will Go Out of Fashion exhibition catalogs and one copy of Crackers featuring Nielson accessories.

box 25, folder 3, 4, 9

Labels, clippings, publications, and negatives 1965, 1967, undated

Scope and Content

Includes Rudi Gernreich labels, photo transparencies by Christa Zinner, and clippings related to Nielson's suit for Harmon Knitwear. Publications include a Klimt exhibition catalog.

box 27

Bistro table linen designed for Rudi Gernreich and Barth & Dreyfus 1977

Scope and Content

Includes table linen and merchandise tags.

box 28

Jewelry and Austrian peasant calendar 1964-1968

Scope and Content

Includes metal bracelets and a ring from Berger's Jewelry Supply, a wired chiffon ear clip, and an Austrian peasant calendar that inspired a scarf collection.

box 28, box 29, box 30, box 31, box 32

Silk scarves 1965-1968

Scope and Content

21 silk scarves from seven Gernreich scarf collections. Box 28 includes two oblong Austrian peasant calendar scarves and two oblong military insignia scarves. Box 29 includes five square Klimt-inspired scarves. Box 30 includes one typography scarf, one military-inspired scarf, and two square traffic sign scarves. Box 31 includes four square Klimt-inspired scarves. Box 32 includes four Austrian peasant calendar scarves.

Series 2: Graphic design 1960-1999

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Scope and Content

Graphic design includes invitations, letterheads, and Christmas cards from Nielson's work designing stationery. Also included are sketches, prints, clippings, and publications from Nielson's work in advertising.

box 1, folder 1-4

Invitations, Christmas cards, and interior designs 1962-1991

Scope and Content

Includes Atrium Court Gala designs, invitations, and party favors; interior designs for General Lee's Restaurant; personal Christmas cards; and Rudi Gernreich Christmas card designs.

box 2, folder 1-5

Personal promotional designs and advertising designs. circa 1960-1973

Scope and Content

Includes personal promotional designs; packaging designs for Exquisite Form Industries, New York; Layne Nielson/Selective Eye Gallery mailing announcements and advertisements for exhibition openings; illustrations and advertising designs for G. Michael Hennessy Designer Furs, Beverly Hills and Ohrbach's Fur Salon, Los Angeles; and stationery, business cards, and announcements designs.

box 3, folder 1-4

Advertisements, publications, and invitations. 1971-1972, 1984-1989, 1993-1994

Physical Description: 1 Sound Recordings(1 unprocessed 12 inch 45 rpm record)

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Scope and Content

Contains advertising designs with Sunset Post Ads and Steffler and Associates, including designs for General Foods Corporation, Quaker Oats, and Hanna-Barbera; a record sleeve for Longhorn Records; and press preview books for California Mart.

box 4, folder 1

Panasonic special event invitations 1991

box 6, folder 1-4

Invitations and publications 1985-1986, 1993-1994

Scope and Content

Includes Langue et Langage French textbook, Lambda Legal invitations and UCLA brochures, Cannon Films publications, and the Los Angeles Business Journal.

box 7, folder 9-10

Corporate identification design 1990

Scope and Content

Corporate identification design for Brighton Design Company and graphic design for Arena Video.

box 10

Book cover design, advertisements, and furniture designs 1965, 1985, 1990

Scope and Content

Includes a mock-up for a rejected cover design for Rudi Gernreich: A Retrospective, advertisements for Nielson Design Company, and furniture designs.

box 11, folder 1

Atrium Court Gala poster and program 1985

box 13, folder 5-9

Designs never produced, Atrium Court Gala materials, and stationery samples 1960-1999

Scope and Content

Includes designs never produced; samples from Fabriano and Crane, including Nielson designs used to advertise the quality of Crane products; and Atrium Court Gala invitations, photographs, and clippings.

box 18, folder 13-17

Letterheads, cards, and invitations undated

box 20, folder 1-4

Letterhead designs, stationery, and engraving trade publications 1987-1996

box 23, folder 5-8

Hand-lettered typestyle, cards, and book 1964, 1986, 1997

Scope and Content

Includes hand-lettered typestyle for Gernreich, title treatments, personal Christmas cards, and a book that Nielson designed and published.

box 24, folder 6, 9, 10

Publicity, photographs and sketches, and cards 1973, 1985, undated

Scope and Content

Includes publicity for the Selective Eye Art Gallery, Atrium Court Gala photographs and sketches, and Gernreich Christmas cards.

box 25, folder 5-8, 10

Selective Eye Art Gallery documents, cards, and company identification 1970-1979

Scope and Content

Includes Selective Eye Art Gallery photographs, sales documents, and editorial publicity; an article on Gernreich's Christmas cards; and Paul R. Davies and RVG company identification.

Series 3: Photographs 1939-1990

Scope and Content

Photographs include portraits of Nielson by George Hoyningen-Huene, Mel Fellini, Paul R. Davis, and others. This series includes photographs from Nielson's world travels, including those from his 1979 trip to China, and photographs of friends and family.

box 3, folder 5

Photographs of China and Haiti and for proposed advertisements undated

box 6, folder 5-8

Photographs, transparencies, and negatives of Haiti, Peru, Guatemala undated

Scope and Content

Also includes two magazines in which Nielson's photographs appear.

box 7, folder 1-8

Travel photographs and negatives and photographs of people 1968-1985

Scope and Content

Photographs of China, Thailand, England and Wales, New York, and San Juan. Photographs of people include Mary Guggenheim, Jim Jones, Pauline Annon, Eleanor Bedell, Lori McCormack, Abelin Jolicoeur, Alvin Meldrum, Michael Crowder, and David Graham.

box 11, folder 2

Photographs and negatives by Mel Fellini 1965, 1968

Scope and Content

Also includes a photograph of Nielson at Joshua Tree National Park.

box 18, folder 5-12

Photographs of Nielson and family photographs 1939-1990

Scope and Content

Photographs include portraits of Nielson by Susan Swanezy, Paul R. Davies, and George Hoyningen-Huene. They also include a photograph of Nielson with Yolanda Penteado, family photographs, photographs with friends, and negatives.

Series 4: Juvenilia and memorabilia 1938-1999

Scope and Content

Juvenilia and memorabilia includes childhood art, school yearbooks and a scrapbook, passports, military uniform items, and military papers.

box 11, folder 3, box 21, folder 8

Childhood art and school records 1944-1950

box 18, folder 1-4

Military documents, birth certificate, passports, and a caricature 1938, 1960-1999.

Scope and Content

Includes passports, a copy of Nielson's birth certificate, and a caricature Nielson believes to be the work of William Hamilton. Military documents include uniform patches and pins, photographs, papers, and clippings.

box 20, folder 5-7

Scrapbook, early artwork, and school records 1943-1963

Scope and Content

Includes a scrapbook of high school activities, early artwork, and school records, including a high school diploma.

box 23, folder 1-2

Family correspondence undated

box 25, folder 1-2, box 26, folder 2-3, box 24, folder 7, 8, 11

Yearbooks and postcards from China 1953-1958, 1979

Scope and Content

Postcards may be found in Box 24. Nielson designed the 1956 yearbook.