Owning of 50s vintage dresses can provide an insight to a thrilling era for dressmaking. After the fading of the Great Depression and the disappearing restrictions of the WWII, manufactures equipped themselves for the mass production of quality products and women wanted the glamour of Paris. After combining all these facts, you get an economy that is all geared up to take off.
Much of the 50s vintage dresses were styled after Dior's fashion collection released in Spring-Summer 1947. The two lines, Corolla and Eight, have become to be known as the 'New Look'. The signature shape of this New Look was a large bust, small waist, and a full skirt with a length just below mid-calf.
Some of the most notable American designers of 50s vintage dresses were Claire McCardell, Mainbocher (Main Rousseau Bocher), and Galanos Originals (James Galanos).
Claire McCardell is a fashion designer widely known for helping bring American fashion into popularity pushing the long dominance of French style aside. This included being a leader in the development of ready-to-wear fashion in the US. Well into the 50s she was designing stylish clothing that was functional, simple, and able to be mass-produced. Finally, she is chiefly responsible for the creation of the "American Look," a style that was casual and chic.
McCardell received various awards and accomplishments before passing away in 1958. She was presented with Women's National Press Club Award in 1950. The Frank Perls Gallery presented an art exhibition of her dress designs in 1953. And to top it all off Time magazine placed her on the cover of their May 2, 1955 issue. McCardell has been mentioned numerous times since her passing for her incredible contributions to fashion.
Main Rousseau Bocher, although an American couturier native to Chicago, opened his first fashion house in Paris from 1930 to 1939 after serving in the First World War. He moved to New York in 1940. Being the first celebrity in the French fashion world from the US he had plenty of publicity as he arrived in New York. By 1950 the Mainbocher design was at it highest quality and the Mainbocher name had a style of conservative elegance.
Mainbocher introduced the strapless evening dress and often included accessories of pearl chokers and short white gloves. His designs appeared in the musical Call Me Madam in 1950, the musical Wonderful Town in 1953, the Great Sebastians in 1956, and The Sound of Music in 1959.
James Galanos opened the fashion line named Galanos Originals in 1951. The characteristic feature of Galanos designs included the use of an array of silk fabrics and hand beading. Most of the dresses he designed were full in length and loose and also placed simple sheaths under chiffon coats. He was the one who received the Coty Fashion Award in 1954 and 1956 and was later inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1959.
Alan Brenner maintains BlueTreeVintage.com a complete source of information on antique dresses. If your looking for 50s vintage dresses we have a great selection.
