Author Archives: Jonathan

About Jonathan

Jonathan Walford is a fashion historian and co-founder of the Fashion History Museum in Cambridge, Ontario. The FHM maintains a collection of nearly 12,000 artifacts dating from the mid 17th century to the present. Jonathan has authored various books and museum catalogues, including The Seductive Shoe, Shoes A-Z, Forties Fashion, 1950s American Fashion, and Sixties Fashion.

Fashion in Song – Have you Seen Miss Molly’s New Hat? (1938)

Posted on 2020-09-26 by Jonathan

This song was sung in Spanish by the actress Rosita Serrano in the 1938 German film Es Luechten die Sterne (The Stars Shine). The story behind the comic song comes as the result of a pancake falling out a window … Continue reading →

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RBG and the lace collar

Posted on 2020-09-25 by Jonathan

When Ruth Bader Ginsburg died last week I didn’t memorialize her on this blog because i didn’t consider her a fashion influencer or icon. However, in the week since her death, her collars have become a symbol of feminism, justice, … Continue reading →

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Shoe Humour

Posted on 2020-09-22 by Jonathan
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Fashion Hall of Obscurity – Kandahar Designs

Posted on 2020-09-13 by Jonathan

Last week we received a donation of some clothing primarily from the 1970s to the 1990s. Amongst the items was a late 1970s striped grey cotton ‘A’ line sundress with the label ‘Kandahar Designs – Boston’. A few google searches … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song: Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down (1950)

Posted on 2020-09-08 by Jonathan

Sally’s bangs are a euphemism, not a hairstyle, but the title doesn’t know that… Written by Fred Maddox and first recorded 1950 by Maddox Brothers and Rose. Well, I met a gal from Old KentuckyShe was happy and go-luckySally let … Continue reading →

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That Time Cher’s Mom was on Lucy…

Posted on 2020-09-02 by Jonathan

In the Lucy episode “Lucy Gets a Paris Gown”  the gang is in Paris. Lucy and Ethel are enchanted by the work of French fashion designer Jacques Marcel and Lucy pretends to go on a hunger strike until Ricky buys her a Marcel … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Button Up Your Overcoat (1928)

Posted on 2020-08-27 by Jonathan

Although the title is about clothing, the song is about taking care of yourself, and buttoning up you overcoat against getting cold. Originally written and published in 1928, it was used in the Broadway musical Follow Thru in 1929 starring … Continue reading →

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New Website Launched for Fashion History Museum!

Posted on 2020-08-25 by Jonathan

It’s been in the works for some time, but this morning we launched our new website! https://www.fashionhistorymuseum.com

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Fashion Hall of Obscurity – Max Raab

Posted on 2020-08-21 by Jonathan

Max Louis Raab was born in Philadelphia on June 9, 1927 to Herman and Fanny Raab, who owned a family-operated apparel company that specialized in making shirtwaists – affordable blouses worn with skirts by women of all classes for a … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Absolutely Not (2001)

Posted on 2020-08-13 by Jonathan

Canadian singer songwriter Deborah Cox’ hit that recognizes the power of clothes was released on the Dr. Doolitte 2 (2001) soundtrack, with a dance version becoming a hit later the same year. Always waitin’ for someoneTo make me happy, pick … Continue reading →

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