| Louella Ballerino | |
| Birth Name: | Louella Smith |
| Birth Date: | 4 June 1900 |
| Birth Place: | Brooklyn, Iowa |
| Occupation: | Fashion designer |
| Alma Mater: | University of Southern California |
Louella Ballerino (née Smith; June 4, 1900 – April 13, 1978) was an American fashion designer, best known for her work in sportswear.
Louella Smith was born in Brooklyn, Iowa and her family later moved to Los Angeles.[1] She attended the University of Southern California as an art history major, and worked with MGM costume designer André-ani.[2] She supported her family by selling fashion sketches to wholesale manufacturers. She also studied pattern-making and tailoring at the Frank Wiggins Trade High School. While there she was made a tutor of fashion design, and began to create some of her own designs at a custom dress shop where she worked.[2] [3] In the late 1930s, she and a friend established their own business.
In the 1940s, Ballerino became well known as a member of the California Design sportswear movement. Following in the footsteps of Claire McCardell,[4] Ballerino drew inspiration from African, Latin American, Pacific, and Caribbean native styles,[3] [5] and helped popularize ethnic garments such as the hopsack dress, midriff top, pollera, and dirndl in the United States.[2] [6]
She designed a popular line of swimwear for Portland manufacturer Jantzen and went on to become their chief designer in the 1950s.[2] [7]