Dan River Stripes - 1948

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

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

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

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

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

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

Window Shopping, 1948

I love this image from 1948.  A woman wearing a dark suit with pearls and white gloves contemplates the latest fashions for spring in the window at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York.  What will you be shopping for this spring?

Prom Dress - 1948

College deb Joan wears a strapless floral gown to a formal dance with her sailor.  The dress by Barbara is fashioned of sheer rayon mousseline and has a wide taffeta waistband with a bow at the back.  Gown sold for $25 in 1948 (about $235 in today's dollar.)  See where the 70s got some of its ideas?

Friday Fur - Lanvin, 1948

There are furs, and then there are furs.  This full length silver fox fur coat by Jeanne Lanvin from 1948 is certain to cover even the most voluminous ballgown.  Winter winds be damned!

Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Balmain, 1948

Pierre Balmain designed this red velvet gown with attached train for his Fall/Winter 1948 couture collection.  What a way to celebrate the season!

Weekend Eye Candy - Balenciaga, 1948

For Fall 1948, Balenciaga designed this incredible coat in black silk faille covered in elaborate embroidery.  Genius!

Friday Fur - Vintage Fox Jacket, 1948

From 1948, Marron Furrier in Paris offered this darling jacket in silver fox fur.  I thought at first that this was a capelet, but it looks like those are true sleeves.  Interesting how the short length allows you to show off your tiny waist!

Printed Dresses for Spring - 1948

Spring always heralds the wearing of pretty prints. Here, dresses from 1948. Which is your favorite?

Christian Dior linen with embroidered flowers.

Jean Desses blue and white striped silk taffeta.

Gabrielle geometric print rayon dress with a large white collar.

Left: Clouds dance on rayon crepe by Madeleine de Rauch.
Right: Hermes uses polka dots because spring wouldn't be spring without polka dots.

Fashion Plate

The title of this ad from 1948 is "Fashion Plate", and isn't she? The model exudes stunning sophistication in shades and variations of white. The coat and hat are by Lilly Daché. What a hat! It's not many women who can wear a dive-bombing dove on their heads and not look silly. The statement brooch and earrings are antiques from A La Vielle Russie. A sumptuous pair of kidskin gloves match the hat. And the perfect makeup sets off the entire look. As it should.....


....because this ad was for Revlon's new "Fashion Plate" cream wafer foundation. "Like a wonderful hat - it changes you instantly with the radiant illusion of poreless-as-porcelain perfection."