The News from Paris & Schiaparelli

The sharply angled silhouette....the spiral flounces wired to flare out....paired with the high severity of black silk jersey....as illustrated by Eric for Vogue, October 1, 1948.

Madra Lord embraces the softer side of the new silhouette by pairing a knit bodysuit from Robert Tonner's Urban Sport fashion set from the Tyler Wentworth Collection with the plaid ruffled skirt from Integrity's Willow Madra Lord. Easy elegance for an evening out or at-home entertaining.

Ashton Drake's Black Widow Madra Lord has been enhanced with an articulated body from Integrity.

Fashion Inspiration, 1948

Illustration by Eric for Coty's Emeraude fragrance from Vogue, November 1, 1948.

Spring Forecast, 1939

Illustration by RBW for Vogue

Fabulous flared afternoon jacket over a slim skirt accompanied by a felt topper with masque veil and feather.  By Hattie Carnegie.

Illustration by RBW for Vogue

Two classic suits featuring high revers and hidden closures over plumb-straight skirts.  Suit on the right by Creed.  Hats by Descat.

Illustration by Eric for Vogue

Left:  Chanel velvet dinner dress accented with fabulous diamond stars.  Velvet hat with ostrich by Schiaparelli.  Right:  Lanvin quilted satin coat and muff, Reboux purple velvet hat with a fall of ostrich.

Illustration by Eric for Vogue

Hats to dramatize dinner costumes.  Left:  Turquoise and black plumed velvet pillbox by Suzy.  Molyneux crepe dress with turquoise bow.  Right:  A pyramid of orchids on a cap by Reboux.  Mainbocher lame dress and fox-trimmed cape.

Source:  February 15, 1939 issue of Vogue

"Mrs. Miniver Rose"

Illustration by Eric

For the red of the flowers in her hat, for the red on her lips and nails - a new shade, the "Mrs. Miniver Rose" lipstick and nail polish from Revlon.  A new Fall hat from Lilly Dache. 

Mrs. Miniver, a 1942 William Wyler film starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon, was based on the fictional English housewife created by Jan Struther in 1937 for a series of newspaper columns.  The WWII based drama won 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actress.



1942 Ad for Revlon's
"Mrs. Miniver Rose"

"In the impersonal stillness of a motion picture theatre, we in America have met Mrs. Miniver and loved her completely.  And like the gentle old station-master who grew the beautiful Mrs. Miniver Rose and said, so staunchly, "There'll always be roses," we at Revlon know there'll always be women like Mrs. Miniver.  And so, we christen our proud new color of nail enamel and lipstick the "Mrs. Miniver Rose"......as a small, shining tribute to gallant women the whole world over."



American Autumn Collections, 1942

On March 8, 1942 the American Government implemented Regulation L-85 that specified restrictions for women's wardrobe due to materials needed for the war effort.  The 1942 Autumn Collections were the first made since L-85 went into effect.  The September 1, 1942 issue of Vogue magazine declared that this new collection was as beautiful as any America has ever made.  The entire issue was dedicated to these law-abiding new designs.

Photo by Rawlings

Although rationing in America was not as strict as in Britain, it certainly offered new challenges to the fashion designer.  Skirts must be narrow, jackets less than 25" long.  Metal must be saved, so drawstrings are the new fasteners.  Wool linings are forbidden, but fur linings are legal and luxurious, and what's more, they are much warmer!  Decorative flaps and pockets are banned, so along comes unrationed braid to enhance your new suit.

Suit design by Traina-Norell
Illustration by Rene Bouet-Willaumez (RBW)

The short evening look is the newest news in the Collections.  Lots of wool, it's bright with color and sparkle and full of surprises - like plaid....with beads.  It's pure elegance in the most unexpected places.

Illustration by Eric

Pictured on the left:  Hand knitted sweater paired with a wool jersey skirt blazing with paillette roses.  Traina-Norell design; crocheted black silk scarf.  On the right:  Scotch plaid English wool jacket trimmed with black bugle beads and ball fringe worn with a simple black velvet dress; pailletted veil.  Hattie Carnegie design.

Fur Side - Inside

Wool edged cape with fur side - inside.  Inside:  Hudson Seal (dyed muskret), Outside:  Black British wool.  Fabulous high-flared tricorn hat from John-Frederics.

An American Original, Spring 1941

Click photo to enlarge

An American Original designed by Nettie Rosenstein, Spring 1941.  This dramatic ensemble is made of Crown tested Rayon fabric. Rosenstein was an acclaimed fashion designer based in New York between 1913 - 1975.  She was particularly renowned for her "little black dresses" as well as her printed dresses with matching gloves.  She designed a wide range of fashions and accessories including suits, evening wear, and striking costume jewelry.

This wonderful illustration is by Carl Erickson for the American Viscose Corp.  Erickson, who simply signed his illustrations with "Eric", became a staff illustrator for Vogue magazine in 1923.