Rose Marie Reid

[2] Her design business began in 1936 with Reid's Holiday Togs, Ltd.[2] Lacing up both sides was typical of her earliest swimsuits and a 1938 example is preserved at the New Westminster Museum and Archives in Canada (Artifact # IH 994.76.68).

[1] After starting her American business, Reid lived in her Los Angeles factory until she purchased a home in Brentwood, California, in 1949.

She was the first swimsuit designer to use inner brassieres, tummy-tuck panels, stay-down legs, elastic banding, brief skirts, and foundation garments in swimwear.

[1] Reid filed for a U.S. patent in 1950 for a one-piece bathing suit using elastic fabric that lacked buttons.

Her "Magic Length" swimsuit line featured an inner "miracle bra", tuck-away straps, a tummy control panel, stay-down leg, and elasticized back to keep the bodice from gapping.

With its numerous adaptations for different body types, the "Magic Length" became a Rose Marie Reid classic and remained popular through the 1950s.

[1] Reid had sales offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York City, London, Amsterdam, and Paris.

Due to her success, she traveled frequently, meeting with sales people to provide instruction on fabrics, styles, and designs.

Famous screen actresses, including Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, and Rhonda Fleming wore her swimsuits.

[2] Rita Hayworth famously wore the "Glittering Metallic Lamé" suit to publicize her 1946 hit film, Gilda.

[10] With Richards' encouragement, Reid authored a lesson plan for explaining Mormonism to Jewish investigators.

[12] In 1959, Rose Marie was asked by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to redesign LDS temple garments.

[2] Rose Marie Reid was also a very generous benefactor to Brigham Young University and served on the National Advisory Council.

[1] The largest holding of Rose Marie Reid's papers and swimsuits is in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections of the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, (see external links).