Freddy Wittop

Who was Freddy Wittop?

Freddy Wittop was a costume designer. He enjoyed secondary careers as a dancer and college professor.

Born Frederick Wittop Koning in Bussum, the Netherlands, Wittop emigrated with his family to Brussels, where he apprenticed at the age of thirteen with the resident designer at the Brussels Opera. Moving to Paris in 1931, he designed for the Folies Bergère and other music halls, creating costumes for Mistinguett and Josephine Baker, among others. He studied Spanish dance and, as Frederico Rey, began a professional career that led to international acclaim as he and his first partner, La Argentinita, performed worldwide. He also toured with Jose Greco and Tina Ramirez.

In 1942, Wittop designed costumes for the Ice Capades, George Abbott's Broadway musical Beat the Band, and Lucille Ball for her film melodrama The Big Street. Soon after this, Wittop joined the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and served overseas for three and a half years. His service awarded him American citizenship.

Once Wittop returned to America after the war, he had a stint dressing show girls and dancers at the Latin Quarter in New York City.