Frederick's of Hollywood
Encyclopedia
Frederick's of Hollywood is a well-known retailer of women's lingerie
in the United States, with stores in many modern shopping malls across the USA.
The business was started by Frederick Mellinger (inventor of the push-up bra) in 1947. The original flagship store was a landmark on Hollywood Boulevard
in Hollywood, California. In September 2005, after 59 years, the store moved to a larger, more modern, and tastefully designed space a few blocks away, near the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.
Here, in addition to the selection of bras
and panties, there are corset
s, including their famous "Hollywood Dream" corset, bedroom slipper
s, a vast array of hosiery, bridal lingerie, special occasion lingerie, and even more high-end seduction pieces. The store no longer houses The Lingerie Museum featuring The Celebrity Lingerie Hall of Fame which exhibited a collection of underwear worn by Hollywood movie stars, such as one of Madonna
's pointy-breasted corsets. However, this flagship Hollywood store does display corsets and bras designed by celebrities for charity.
In 1992, Frederick's lingerie museum drew national media attention when it was looted during the Los Angeles riots
. One repentant looter delivered a bag of pilfered celebrity lingerie, including Ava Gardner
's "bloomers" and a push-up bra once worn by TV actress Katey Sagal
, to the pastor at nearby Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hollywood
. An Austin newspaper noted that Blessed Sacrament's pastor "may be the only priest in America to ever comfort a man who felt guilty about stealing celebrity bloomers." In an article titled "Support Is Generous for Bra Museum", the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted that such an "uplifting story could only happen in Hollywood."
Some of the lingerie worn by the 1950s pin-up
and bondage model Bettie Page
was from Frederick's of Hollywood.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001. In 2003 it emerged from bankruptcy and was headquartered in Los Angeles. In 2006 it merged with New York City sleepwear manufacturer Movie Star
and the headquarters was moved to New York. In 2008 the company changed its name to Frederick's of Hollywood Group Inc. The company trades on the American Stock Exchange
under the ticker symbol
FOH. Its headquarters remains in New York City.
Lingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
in the United States, with stores in many modern shopping malls across the USA.
Hollywood Boulevard
-Revitalization:In recent years successful efforts have been made at cleaning up Hollywood Blvd., as the street had gained a reputation for crime and seediness. Central to these efforts was the construction of the Hollywood and Highland shopping center and adjacent Kodak Theatre in 2001...
in Hollywood, California. In September 2005, after 59 years, the store moved to a larger, more modern, and tastefully designed space a few blocks away, near the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.
Here, in addition to the selection of bras
Brassiere
A brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....
and panties, there are corset
Corset
A corset is a garment worn to hold and shape the torso into a desired shape for aesthetic or medical purposes...
s, including their famous "Hollywood Dream" corset, bedroom slipper
Slipper
A slipper or houseshoe is a semi-closed type of indoor/outdoor shoe, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by a strap running over the toes or instep. Slippers are soft and lightweight compared to other types of footwear. They are mostly made of soft or comforting materials that allow a...
s, a vast array of hosiery, bridal lingerie, special occasion lingerie, and even more high-end seduction pieces. The store no longer houses The Lingerie Museum featuring The Celebrity Lingerie Hall of Fame which exhibited a collection of underwear worn by Hollywood movie stars, such as one of Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's pointy-breasted corsets. However, this flagship Hollywood store does display corsets and bras designed by celebrities for charity.
In 1992, Frederick's lingerie museum drew national media attention when it was looted during the Los Angeles riots
1992 Los Angeles riots
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots or South Central Riots, also known as the 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest were sparked on April 29, 1992, when a jury acquitted three white and one hispanic Los Angeles Police Department officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King following a...
. One repentant looter delivered a bag of pilfered celebrity lingerie, including Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner
Ava Lavinia Gardner was an American actress.She was signed to a contract by MGM Studios in 1941 and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew attention with her performance in The Killers . She became one of Hollywood's leading actresses, considered one of the most beautiful women of her day...
's "bloomers" and a push-up bra once worn by TV actress Katey Sagal
Katey Sagal
Catherine Louise "Katey" Sagal is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She first achieved widespread fame as Peggy Bundy on the long-running Fox comedy series Married.....
, to the pastor at nearby Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hollywood
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hollywood
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is a parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles located on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood, California. The church today serves an urban, multiethnic community and is known for, among other things, its gay and lesbian ministry and its many...
. An Austin newspaper noted that Blessed Sacrament's pastor "may be the only priest in America to ever comfort a man who felt guilty about stealing celebrity bloomers." In an article titled "Support Is Generous for Bra Museum", the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted that such an "uplifting story could only happen in Hollywood."
Some of the lingerie worn by the 1950s pin-up
Pin-up girl
A pin-up girl, also known as a pin-up model, is a model whose mass-produced pictures see wide appeal as popular culture. Pin-ups are intended for informal display, e.g. meant to be "pinned-up" on a wall...
and bondage model Bettie Page
Bettie Page
Bettie Mae Page was an American model who became famous in the 1950s for her fetish modeling and pin-up photos. She has often been called the "Queen of Pinups"...
was from Frederick's of Hollywood.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001. In 2003 it emerged from bankruptcy and was headquartered in Los Angeles. In 2006 it merged with New York City sleepwear manufacturer Movie Star
Movie Star
Movie Star, Inc. is a New York City-based manufacturer, marketer and seller of lingerie, sleepwear and other types of clothing. Organized in 1935 and formerly known as Sanmark Stardust, Inc., the company became Movie Star, Inc. in 1992. It was acquired by Frederick's of Hollywood in 2006, who sold...
and the headquarters was moved to New York. In 2008 the company changed its name to Frederick's of Hollywood Group Inc. The company trades on the American Stock Exchange
American Stock Exchange
NYSE Amex Equities, formerly known as the American Stock Exchange is an American stock exchange situated in New York. AMEX was a mutual organization, owned by its members. Until 1953, it was known as the New York Curb Exchange. On January 17, 2008, NYSE Euronext announced it would acquire the...
under the ticker symbol
Ticker symbol
A stock symbol or ticker symbol is a short abbreviation used to uniquely identify publicly traded shares of a particular stock on a particular stock market. A stock symbol may consist of letters, numbers or a combination of both. "Ticker symbol" refers to the symbols that were printed on the ticker...
FOH. Its headquarters remains in New York City.
Models
Many notable models have posed for Frederick's of Hollywood catalogs, including:- Pamela AndersonPamela AndersonPamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model, producer, author, activist, and former showgirl, known for her roles on the television series Home Improvement, Baywatch, and V.I.P. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990...
- Robin Angers
- Amber Arbucci
- Alison Armitage
- K.D. Aubert
- Carmen Berg
- Kylie BisuttiKylie BisuttiKylie Bisutti is an American model who won the 2009 "Victoria's Secret Model Search" competition, broadcast online through CBS and concluded during the December 1st airing of that year's Fashion Show...
- Brandi BrandtBrandi BrandtBrandi Brandt is an American model and actress, who was Playboy's Playmate of the Month for October 1987....
- Cynthia BrimhallCynthia BrimhallCynthia Brimhall is an American model and B-movie actress. She was chosen as Playboy's Playmate of the Month for October 1985....
- Jenelle Brooklyn
- Brittany Brower
- Brooke BurkeBrooke BurkeBrooke Burke Charvet , better known by her maiden name, Brooke Burke, is an actress, dancer, model and television personality...
- Bianca Christians
- Bree CondenBree CondenBree Condon is an American fashion model and actress.- Biography :Condon was born in Newport Beach, California. She is a professional scuba diver.-modeling:...
- Quinn Cooper
- Lola Corwin
- Morena Corwin
- Neriah DavisNeriah DavisNeriah Davis is an American model and actress. She was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for its March 1994 issue.-Early life and career:...
- Caroline De Souza Correa
- Nikki DuBose
- Ava FabianAva FabianAva Fabian is an American model and actress. She was chosen as Playboy's Playmate of the Month in August 1986 and has appeared in numerous Playboy videos. Her centerfold was photographed by Arny Freytag and Richard Fegley.Fabian played Roxy Carmichael in the movie Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael,...
- Anahi Gonzales
- Brianna Hicks
- Nicky HiltonNicky HiltonNicholai Olivia "Nicky" Hilton is an American businesswoman, fashion model, socialite, celebutante, heiress and fashion designer. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton and younger sister of Paris Hilton....
- Nichole HiltzNichole HiltzNichole Marie Hiltz is an American actress. She has appeared in the film May, A Midsummer Night's Rave, and the Sci Fi Channel movie All Souls Day and since 2008 has played Brandi Shannon on the USA network television series In Plain Sight.Hiltz has made guest appearances on several television...
- Tylyn John
- Barbie Jones
- Joanna KrupaJoanna KrupaJoanna Krupa is a Polish-American model and actress. Krupa was born in Warsaw, Poland. She has a younger sister, Marta Krupa, also a model. Joanna Krupa moved to India, Delhi, Illinois, with her family at the age of five...
- Eva La Rue
- Heather LaCombe
- Nikki LaFleur
- Bonnie-Jill LaflinBonnie-Jill LaflinBonnie-Jill Laflin is an American model, actress, television personality, and member of the Los Angeles Lakers front office.Laflin first gained public attention as a cheerleader with the Golden State Warriors of the NBA...
- Jennifer Lamiraqui
- Nicole Marie LenzNicole Marie LenzNicole Marie Lenz is an American actress and fashion model. She first became known in the industry by appearing in Playboy as the Playmate of the Month for March 2000...
- Cindy MargolisCindy MargolisCynthia Dawn "Cindy" Margolis is an American glamour spokesmodel and actress.-Personal life:Margolis was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Karyn O. and William C. Margolis...
- Shae MarksShae MarksChristy Shae Marks is an American model and actress of Cherokee, Irish, and French heritage.-Early years:Shae Marks was born in New Orleans, Louisiana where she spent most of childhood. According to her Playmate Profile, she was a tomboy growing up. Soon after her tenth birthday, Marks's family...
- K.C. Martell
- Juliana MartinsJuliana MartinsThis article is about the Brazilian model. For the Brazilian actress, see Juliana Martins .Juliana Martins is a Brazilian model. She worked for Sports Illustrated, and contested in the 1997 Elite Model Look...
- Marisa MillerMarisa MillerMarisa Lee Miller is an American model best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues and her work for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret. After a stint shooting with photographer Mario Testino for fashion magazines like Vogue, Miller began working for both companies in...
- Diana Morales
- Yvette NelsonYvette NelsonYvette Stefens Nelson is an American model, actress and Singer-songwriter.-Television and film roles:*The Tonight Show with Jay Leno *Lingerie Bowl *Medium, episode - "In Sickness and Adultery"...
- Shauna O'BrienShauna O'BrienShauna O'Brien is a model, actress in B-movies and an erotic actress.She is sometimes credited as Steve Jean, Shana O'Brien or Shawna O'Brien....
- Jessiqa Pace
- Lisa Peake
- Shannon Rae
- Caroline Salvia
- Shauna Sand
- Nikki Schieler
- Kim Smith
- Linda Sobek
- Gretchen Stockdale
- Barbara Stoyanoff
- Julie StrainJulie StrainJulie Strain is an American actress and model who was Penthouse Pet of the Month in June 1991 and later chosen as the magazine's Pet of the Year in 1993.-Early life:...
- Renee TenisonRenee TenisonReneé Tenison is an American model and actress.Reneé has three older brothers and an identical twin sister, Rosie, who also works as a model...
- Carrie Tivador
- Peggy Trintini
- Leeann TweedenLeeann TweedenLeeann Velez Tweeden is an American model.Tweeden was born in Manassas, Virginia. She graduated from Osbourn Park High School in 1991. Tweeden skipped college altogether and instead pursued a career in modeling...
- Alina VacariuAlina VacariuAlina Văcariu is a Romanian actress and model. Among other work, she was Romania's Model of the Year in 1998 , which later resulted in signing a contract with Elite Model Management....
- Carol Vitale
- Dita Von TeeseDita Von TeeseDita Von Teese is an American burlesque dancer, model, costume designer, author and actress.-Early life:...
- April Wayne
- Teri WeigelTeri WeigelTeresa "Teri" Susan Weigel is an American pornographic actress, fashion and nude model and Playboy Playmate.-Early life:Weigel was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and grew up in Deerfield Beach, Florida...