Abstract
The Fanny’s Dress Shop Photographs (1930-1982) show one of Las Vegas’ premier women’s clothing stores. The collection includes images of Fanny Soss’ shop on Fremont Street, her store in the Flamingo Hotel, and Helldorado parades. Images include shop window displays.
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Date
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The Fanny’s Dress Shop Photographs depict fashion in early to mid twentieth century Las Vegas. This collection documents the history of Fanny’s Dress Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada from approximately 1931 to 1982. In addition to materials focusing on shop activities, such as the opening of her store in the Flamingo Hotel, the images provide insight into public relations activities, such as advertising and promotion during annual Helldorado parades. As well as depicting the owner, Fanny Soss, through the years, the materials provide historical documentation on the famed Las Vegas dress shop that was known to tourists and residents alike for its fashionable women’s garments. The items described include photographic prints and negatives; items listed are photographic prints unless otherwise specified.
Access Note
The collection is open for research. Portions of this collection have been digitized and are available online.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into five series:
Series I. Las Vegas, 1933-1942;
Series II. Grand Opening, 1947;
Series III. Labor Day, 1932-1947;
Series IV. Helldorado, 1930-1959;
Series V. People, 1947-1982;
Materials remain in original order. Many of the photographic prints have corresponding negatives. Negatives have been housed separately and can be found in box 11.
Biographical / Historical Note
Fanny Soss was born in London, England on April 10, 1884. Her family came to the United States when she was six months old. Fanny married and had a son named Maury; they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada from Los Angeles, California after her divorce in 1931. She opened her first dress shop in 1931 on Fifth Street, but relocated her store to Fremont Street in 1932. She had other shops as well, one in the Last Frontier Village and another in the Flamingo Hotel which was opened on August 17, 1947. She sold her business in 1979 and passed away on September 30, 1990.
Source: Women’s Research Institute of Nevada. “Fanny Soss.” Last modified June 5, 2012. http://wrinunlv.org/research/our-history-profiles-of-nevada-women/fanny-soss/
Preferred Citation
Fanny’s Dress Shop Photographs, approximately 1931-1982. PH-00165. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated in April 25, 1983; accession number 83-26.
Processing Note
Materials were processed by Special Collections staff. In 2016, as part of a legacy finding aid conversion project, Maryse Lundering-Timpano wrote the collection description in compliance with current professional standards.