Dan River Stripes - 1948

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If you are buried under ice and snow, this image should warm you up a bit.  From 1948, Ciro's swim suit and companion dress, both made from Dan River Dantone combed cotton in a woven stripe.  All pieces came in black stripes on yellow, pink or aqua.  Look how perfectly those stripes are matched at the center front of the skirt!

Read more about Dan River here.  It's a sad story.

Photo from a full page ad that appeared in Mademoiselle, 1948.

Bare Midriff Three Ways, 1948

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In 1948, the California Authentics textile company worked with local artists to produce a line of prints called "California, Crossroads of the Pacific."  The patterns included artist interpretations of Californian native cultures, flora and fauna.  Three of those prints were used to produce the midriff baring tops and skirts shown here, all by California based fashion designers. 

Left:  Joseph Zukin
Center: Louella Ballerino
Right:  F.B Horgan

Weekend Eye Candy - Bruyere, 1948

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How does one take a simple wide brimmed hat and make it extraordinary?  Instead of putting the bow on top of the brim, put it underneath to bring attention to the face.  I love this hat.  Marie-Louise Bruyere, 1948.

Alex Maguy Coat - 1948

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The fact that couture is an art form becomes very apparent in this coat made by couturier Alex Maguy in 1948.  Maguy has used a wool fabric in black with gray and white stripes.  He has manipulated those stripes and seamed them into rectangles and chevrons.  I am in complete and utter awe.

Mad For Plaid, 1948

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This coat by Nina Ricci from 1948 does a great job of expressing the joy of life returning to some sense of normalcy in Paris after the privations, horror and destruction of WWII.  It even makes the model happy.  Note how perfectly the plaid is matched, even at the sleeve cuffs!

Weekend Eye Candy - Christian Dior, 1948

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Christian Dior concocted this perfect dress for a summer's evening in the Spring of 1948. Le sigh......