Fanny Soss
Dublin Core
Title
Fanny Soss
Subject
Source
Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project
Publisher
Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN)
Rights
This resource is available for education and research purposes. This collection is a collaboration and combination of various projects including, but not limited to; the Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project, the Nevada Women’s Archives, the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project and the Makers: Women in Nevada History Project, a co-production of the Women's Research Institute of Nevada and VegasPBS. The text, images, audio and video in this collection are under copyright by different repositories and may not be reproduced without express written consent of the appropriate entities.
Person Item Type Metadata
Work/Contribution
Owner of Fanny's Dress Shop
Birth Date
April 10, 1884
Birthplace
Arrival in Las Vegas
1931
Death Date
Sept. 30, 1990
Biographical Text
In 1931, Fanny Soss moved to Las Vegas to capitalize on the growth of the area with the construction of nearby Boulder (now Hoover) Dam. She opened Fanny’s Dress Shop downtown and eventually opened four stores throughout Las Vegas and became known as the leading outfitter of fashionable women.
Fanny Soss was born in London where her father worked as a tailor of women’s clothing. When she was just nine months old, she moved to the United States, and the family lived in several states.
After divorcing her husband in Los Angeles, Soss moved to Las Vegas with her son, Maury. She opened a store on Fifth Street in 1931, but in 1932 moved her store to Fremont Street. Her son attended college at UCLA and bought fashions for the store, sending them to Las Vegas. Fanny’s Dress Shop became the premier shop for fashionable Las Vegas women to shop.
Fanny also opened locations in the Last Frontier Village and the Flamingo. In 1966, the original Fanny’s location downtown closed. Soss sold the business in 1979. She passed away in 1990 in Las Vegas.
Fanny Soss was born in London where her father worked as a tailor of women’s clothing. When she was just nine months old, she moved to the United States, and the family lived in several states.
After divorcing her husband in Los Angeles, Soss moved to Las Vegas with her son, Maury. She opened a store on Fifth Street in 1931, but in 1932 moved her store to Fremont Street. Her son attended college at UCLA and bought fashions for the store, sending them to Las Vegas. Fanny’s Dress Shop became the premier shop for fashionable Las Vegas women to shop.
Fanny also opened locations in the Last Frontier Village and the Flamingo. In 1966, the original Fanny’s location downtown closed. Soss sold the business in 1979. She passed away in 1990 in Las Vegas.
Bibliography
Guide to the Maury Soss oral history interview. Special Collections and Archives. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Collection # OH-01738.
Guide to the Fanny's Dress Shop Photographs. Special Collections and Archives. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Collection # PH-00165. View select materials online.
Guide to the Fanny's Dress Shop Photographs. Special Collections and Archives. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Collection # PH-00165. View select materials online.
Collection
Citation
“Fanny Soss,” Makers Teaching Modules, accessed October 5, 2026, https://mail.makersteachingmodules.sites.unlv.edu/items/show/96.