1940s Evening Gown Fashion Show – In Color!
categories: Fashion History, Film
“Alice and Patsy have sniffed intrigue, too… Women flock to an engagement ring like bees to the honeysuckle.” ♥
Category Archive: Fashion History
1910s Vogue Patterns | Edwardian Fashion Sketches
categories: Fashion History, Style Inspiration
The Edwardian period was a turning point in fashion history; the Victorian ideal of strict, structured dress met the beginnings of a softer, more lighthearted view of fashion. Young people were anxious to shed not only the physical constraints of the “old” style, but also the social mores that up to that time had been intrinsically linked to clothing in general. It was a time of breaking through limitations, both physical and philosophical.
The fashions that resulted from these social growing pains became more flamboyant, with designers trying radically new and different silhouettes, colours, and textures. They broke rules left and right, pushing the envelope of what was considered ‘acceptable’.
Here are several beautiful Vogue pattern sketches and George Barbier drawings, illustrating the contrasting styles of the decade.
Bergdorf Goodman Archives | Vintage Designer Fashion Plates
categories: Fashion History, Style Inspiration
Gorgeous sketches from the Bergdorf Goodman archives, showcasing vintage designs from several influential designers of the 1950s and 1960s – Balenciaga, Balmain, Dior, Heim, Lanvin, Schiaparelli, Simonetta, and more.
Source: Anna Lee
Private Secretary by Kay Windsor
categories: Fashion History
There I was, scouring the racks of a dusty Salvation Army for the umpteenth time, when to what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a smart little double breasted dress with impeccable 1950s tailoring. I was even more excited to behold the label — “Private Secretary” by Kay Windsor. One of the original 1954 designs! I stuffed it greedily into my cart.
Allow me to elaborate. I am a huge fan of 1950s television. And from 1953 to 1957, CBS broadcast a show called “Private Secretary”, starring Ann Sothern as a devoted secretary to a talent agent. In 1954, the show partnered with with Kay Windsor Frocks to produce a line of Private Secretary dresses. The dresses were advertised in newspapers and departments stores as being “chosen especially for you by Ann Sothern.”
The line was dubbed “The Look Career Girls Love,” and was very popular with young women who wanted to invest in smart, stylish work-wear. Two other Private Secretary franchises included a line of skirts and sportswear by Ernest Donath, and an eyewear collection by Flairspecs. Ann’s wearing glasses on the show had made them a popular fashion statement of their own for the well-dressed woman.
In 1955 the “Private Secretary” line evolved into “Secretary-of-the-month”, presumably as the partnership with the TV show ended. Under the new name, contests were held where participants could win a free Kay Windsor wardrobe — one dress for every month of the year. What a score!
Kay Windsor was bought in 1971 by Vanity Fair, who eventually discontinued the line in 1982.
House of Worth Evening Gowns
categories: Fashion History
I came across an awe-inspiring collection of images of the House of Worth’s 19th and 20th century gowns in an online collection at the Met, and just had to share a few of these luscious designs.
- Court Presentation Ensemble
House of Worth (French, 1858–1956), c. 1888
From the Met website regarding this dress:
By this time the House of Worth was past its peak of popularity and opted to keep up with the budding Orientalism of the period instead of setting trends of its own. This example, which is an extravaganza of trims and decoration, manages to be fussier than the Orientalist designs of one of Orientalism’s major proponents, Paul Poiret (1879-1944). Although they were not setting trends at this point, this dress indicates the continued elegance and beauty of their gowns.
Sigh!
See all the lovely pieces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s online exhibit here.