Tag Archives: 1950s

The Squaw Dress

Posted on 2017-04-05 by Jonathan

The term ‘Squaw dress’ is used to describe a two-piece dress with an aesthetic borrowed from the Southwest Apache, Navajo and Pueblo Native cultures that stretch between Tucson, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Similar styles known as Fiesta dresses borrowed … Continue reading →

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Fashion Hall of Obscurity – Maginel Wright

Posted on 2014-10-20 by Jonathan

Maginel (a contraction of Maggie and Nell) Wright was more than just the sister of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, she was also an accomplished illustrator of children’s books, Christmas cards, and magazine covers – as well as a shoe stylist. … Continue reading →

Posted in Obscurier Couturiers, Shoes | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

French Confections – Early prêt-à-porter

Posted on 2014-06-18 by Jonathan

It is often implied that Pierre Cardin was the father of French Confections (the early term for ready-to-wear or prêt-à-porter.) This idea comes from when Cardin was expelled from the Chambre Syndicale in 1959 for launching a prêt-à-porter collection for the … Continue reading →

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Talking About…

Posted on 2013-02-19 by Jonathan

Please join me at one or both lectures I am giving in the next couple of weeks. This friday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. I am talking about the development of foundation garments – the corset, girdle, and bra – … Continue reading →

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Fashion Hall of Obscurity – Fred Adlmüller

Posted on 2012-12-30 by Jonathan

Born in Bavaria in 1909 Fred Adlmüller left Germany for Austria in the 1930s, taking a job with the Vienna fashion house Stone & Blyth. After Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria, he took over the operation of the shop when … Continue reading →

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Interview with High Low Vintage

Posted on 2012-11-07 by Jonathan

Carolyn Gray of High Low Vintage in Pasadena, California did an interview with me about my new book 1950s American Fashion. She is also offering a give-away of a copy of the book on her facebook page. Thanks Carolyn!

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New Book – 1950s American Fashion

Posted on 2012-10-23 by Jonathan

Today is launch day for my latest book – 1950s American Fashion, by Shire publications. The 1950s was the first decade when American fashion became truly American. The United States had historically relied upon Europe for its style leads, but … Continue reading →

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Nuclear Fashion

Posted on 2012-09-28 by Jonathan

The Fashion History museum’s exhibition Nuclear Fashion opens Tuesday, October 2 at the Joseph Brant Museum in Burlington, Ontario. This exhibition includes period store mannequins and over 60 advertisements, dating between 1946 and 1964 aimed at the suburban nuclear family for products … Continue reading →

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A Working Girl’s Clothing Budget in 1950

Posted on 2012-09-25 by Jonathan

Another interesting read from my recent stash of Pageant magazines is an article from January 1951 about how much a young working woman spends on her wardrobe: “How do they do it on their meager salaries?” asked Pageant “To find … Continue reading →

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Trickle-down Couture

Posted on 2012-09-24 by Jonathan

A recent find of Pageant magazines from the 1950s have proven to be a source of interesting reading. This article from September 1951 include this piece about the various knock-offs of a Jacques Fath dress from spring 1951:

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