Greta Plattry Swimsuit - 1955

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Love, love, love!  This little feature from Harper's Bazaar not only shows us the swimsuit, but gives a flat image of the terrific fabric it's made of.  The fabric is an Everglaze cotton by Tarnmoor and features various ships in yellow on white.  Greta Plattry used the fabric to make the adorable two piece swimsuit in 1955.  She paired it with a yellow corduroy beach jacket.  Suit sold for $12 and jacket for $17 in 1955 (about $106 and $150 in today's dollar.)

Photo by Robert Randall for Harper's Bazaar, 1955.

Carolyn Schnurer Folkloric Dresses - 1955

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Carolyn Schnurer was well known for basing entire collections on the fabrics and ethnic traditions of the countries she visited on her world travels.  For the spring of 1955, she featured a collection based on the folk lore of Norway with fabric prints and design elements inspired by Norwegian traditions.  The fabrics here are Everglaze cottons by Ameritex for Schnurer.  Schnurer also designed the co-ordinating jewelry.

Above:  Swimsuit with buttoned straps and little pockets, sold for $18.95 in 1955 (about $167.00 in today's dollar.)
Sun dress with the same buttoned straps and pleats at the hem, sold for $29.95 in 1955 (about $264.00 in today's dollar.)

Darling dress with suspender detail, gathered cap sleeves and pleats at the hem.  Sold for $29.95 in 1955 (about $264.00 in today's dollar.)

Photos from a 2-page ad for Carolyn Schnurer and Ameritex Fabrics, featured in Harper's Bazaar, 1955.

Nelly de Grab - 1955

FREE IMAGES In 1955, Nelly de Grab joined forces with Peck and Peck and Everglaze cottons to produce this 3 page advertising spread for the pretty blouses and skirts made by the company.  For more information about Nelly de Grab, please see my biographical post about the company here.

Stripes and flowers mix in this blouse and skirt, available in turquoise or pink polished cotton. 

Wallpaper rose print combined with panels of solid cotton, available in royal blue or gray with whtie.

Solid cotton blouse is black or chartreuse combined with a full skirt in brown with black and gold print or navy with chartreuse and white print.

All photos from full page advertisements for Nelly de Grab, 1955.

Pretty in Pink - 1955

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This pretty pink confection of a dress is my idea of perfection.  The neckline is adorned with pink flowers that coordinate with the cotton print.  Dress by Perullo of David Hart, summer 1955.

Photo from a full page ad for Signature Fine Art Fabrics, 1955.

Stripes for Spring - 1955

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There's nothing quite like the look of a tiny bolero jacket over a fitted dress.  This set by Minx Modes from 1955 features a cotton stripe jacket in beige, olive and white over a beige rayon dress. Set sold for $18 in 1955 (about $156 in today's dollar.)

Photo by Derujinsky for Harper's Bazaar, 1955.

Madeleine de Rauch Evening Gown - 1955

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Pale blue satin with a wide gray satin sash at the waist.  Blouson bodice over a full length buttoned skirt.  Long sleeves and a wide, wide neckline.  Gown by Madeleine de Rauch, Fall/Winter Couture 1955.  Earrings by Arpad add just the right amount of zing. 

Photo by Richard Avedon for Harper's Bazaar, 1955
Model, Dovima
Fashion editor, Diana Vreeland.

Ceil Chapman - 1955

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You know that I love the ad copy that accompanies Bergdorf Goodman ads.  This one is from 1955.

"Chiffon Flame in the Wind by Ceil Chapman $135
Born to dance the night away - our silk chiffon in a smoldering, flaming pink.  It's draped bodice, one-shouldered stole and cloud-formation skirt beautiful accompaniment to music heard or unheard.  Also in black, in sizes 8 to 16."

The stole shown draped around her head is attached at one shoulder and can hang freely down the back of the gown.  Interesting gathered waist extends up into the bust and down into the hips.  $135 is about $1,176 in today's dollar.

Would you chose pink or black?

Photo by Karen Radkai for Bergdorf Goodman.  
Full page ad from Harper's Bazaar, 1955.

Henry Rosenfeld Dress - 1955

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Dress it up, dress it down, there's nothing like the versatility of a little black dress.  This one by Henry Rosenfeld is fashioned of a cotton knit.  Shown here belted and blousoned, you could also wear this as a straight column with completely different accessories. 

I know it is difficult to see, but the model is wearing a multi-strand pearl necklace that is tucked inside the square neckline.  I really like that idea.....a lot.  The dress sold for $17 in 1955, equivalent to about $148 in today's dollar.  I can assure you, this dress was far superior in fabric and construction that anything you can buy for the same amount today.  Choose vintage!

Photo by Irving Penn for Vogue

Wear Your Necklace Backwards

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Jennifer Lawrence wore a necklace backwards at this year's Oscars to great effect.  I like this version of the same look from 1955 even better.  In this ad for DuPont nylon fabric, the model wears a dress by Filcol and piles of beaded necklaces fill the back neckline.  Love it!  Do you? 

Monet Bracelets, 1955

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"You can't have too much of a good thing...."  I agree 100% and I love this look of piled on bracelets.  Monet jewelry ad from 1955.

Sweet Separates, 1955

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I've talked many times in the past about my love for coordinating separates from the 50s and you've heard me complain that companies no longer do this.  Just take a look at these sweet separates from 1955.  I don't know who the manufacturer is, as this is just a random image I found online.  But look!  The little running people are cut out from the print and appliqued onto the solid pink blouse.  You could wear the print blouse with the print skirt and it would look like a dress.  And the pink shoes are just perfect!  I want.

White Wool by Christian Dior - 1955

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For Fall 1955, Christian Dior showed this gorgeous suit in white wool.  The fitted skirt and bolero jacket are topped by a little swing coat.  He pairs the suit with a black satin top, black gloves and sparkling jewelery.  I love the idea of wearing a large brooch at the hip.  What about you?

Goldworm Sweater - 1955

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There's a nip in the air this morning, and this sweater looks like the perfect thing right now.

The Goldworm company was known for their high quality and fashionable knits starting in the 1940s.  Their garments were designed in New York, but made in Italy with the finest old-world craftsmanship.  This sweater, from 1955, is a bit ingenious in it's design.  The little hood attaches to the collar with buttons.  When you don't need it, simply unbutton it and the collar lies square and flat with the pretty buttonhole detail all the way around.  Sold in 1955 for $20 (about $171 in today's dollar.)

Cole of California Swimsuit - 1955

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In the spring of 1955, Cole of California introduced a new brilliant blue color they called Cole Blue.  The suit was made from a new fabric called Warshfast Laton that would not fade through a summer in salt water, chlorine pools and sun.  This suit was designed by Margit Fellegi.  That draping around the waist makes the model look even tinier than she is.  And that wing on one bust serves to balance the draping on the opposite side.  This suit probably came with removable shoulder straps, but I think it looks great without them.  Don't you?

Alix of Miami Dress - 1955

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How's this for summer perfection?  This dress was made by Alix of Miami in 1955.  Red and white polka dotted fabric is accented with stripes of black binding all around the skirt.  A dress like this will take you to the 4th of July parade, then to the picnic and barbeque and finally to the fireworks.  What will you be wearing on Independence Day?

It's Not a Cadillac, But It's Pink!

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Wow!  I want one!  This isn't a Cadillac though.  It's a Chrysler Imperial from 1955.  19 feet long, this baby probably got about 5 miles per gallon, but honey you sure looked like something driving it!

Bruce Springsteen came out with the song "Pink Cadillac" in 1984 as the B-side to "Dancing in the Dark".  And Natalie Cole's version in 1988 was a Top Ten song.  But for my money, the best song ever to include a pink Cadillac in the lyrics is Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love" from 1985.  No one rocks a song like Aretha.  I just wish this video was in color.  I dare you to sit still while you watch this.  "Drop the top baby, Let's cruise on into it." Enjoy!

Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Balmain, 1955

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Today's June bride wears a stunning gown by Pierre Balmain from 1955.  White satin is embroidered and beaded with gorgeous lilies on long stems.

Sally Victor Hat - 1955

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This is an ad from 1955 for Revlon's "Love-Pat" powder/foundation compact.  But that's not what I want to talk about.  It's the hat.  That wonderful hat.  It's an arrangement of white silk petals that form a cap so it appears the model has a flower molded to the top of her head.  Do you love it as much as I do?  Sally Victor is the designer.  Now that I've seen it, I'll be on the hunt for this beauty.  Oh yes, I will!

IN OTHER NEWS:  The offending website that was copying my content has been take down.  Yay!  Thank you everyone for your support and help!

Givenchy Dress - 1955

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Hubert de Givenchy created this haute couture black silk taffeta dress for Spring 1955.  Having learned pattern drafting many years ago, I view this dress from a sewer's standpoint.  I can't look at this photo without wondering how in the world Givenchy made the fabric do what it does here and what do the pattern pieces for that skirt look like?  I'm sure the dress is built upon a stiff foundation so the skirt holds its bell shape.  There appear to be seams between the front buttoned panel and the draped side pieces.  That front panel probably falls straight to the hem and the side panels are pulled around to the front and sewn one on top of the other at the hem  And, even though you can't see them, I am sure those soft folds are held in place with hundreds of tiny invisible hand-worked stitches.  In the end, what looks like a dress with lots of movement and softness is actually just the opposite.  And that is one example of the art of couture.

Fabiani Evening Gown, 1955

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Alberto Fabiani showed this evening gown as part of his Spring 1955 collection.  Fashioned of white silk faille, the front of the stiff bell-shaped skirt is adorned with coral color floral embroidery.

Alberto Fabiani was an Italian couturier.  He was born into the business and took over his parent's couture house in 1951.  He quickly became known as one of the best of the Italian couturiers.  He was recognized for his beautifully tailored suits and coats as well as his classically styled dresses.  He was a master of architectural design and construction and a leader in sparking new fashion trends.  Many of his designs were copied by American retailers during the 50s and 60s.  Fabiani retired in 1974.