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.
Most of the 50s vintage dresses were designed and stylized after the Dior's fashion collection released in Spring-Summer 1947. The two lines, Corolla and Eight, have been famously termed as the 'New Look'. The shape that marked this New Look was a large bust, small waist and a skirt whose length extended a bit 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, a female fashion designer, is very well known on the global level as she helped to push the dominance of French style away and bring the American fashion into popularity by giving it the required limelight. She was a leader in the improvement and development of convenient ready-to-wear fashion in the US. During the period of the 50s she was designing fashionable clothing that was functional, easy to wear, simple and could be used for mass-production. Lastly, she is the key factor that acted behind the scenes, to create the "American Look", that was casual, trendy 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, being an American couturier native of Chicago, opened his first fashion house, from 1930 to 1939, in Paris, after serving his part in the First World War. He moved to New York in the year 1940 and already had a good amount of publicity under his belt when he moved to New York. He was the first celebrity in the French fashion world from, the US. The Moinbocher design quality had reached a very high stand, by 1950, and the Mainbocher name had a conservative and eternal elegance attached to it by that year.
Mainbocher was the one, who introduced the strapless evening dress and he also included accessories of pearl chokers and short white gloves. The various musicals, Call Me Madam and Wonderful Time, the Great Sebastians and the Sound of Music, which released in 1950, 1953, 1956 and 1959 respectively, showcased his designs.
James Galanos opened Galanos Originals in 1951. The characteristic of Galanos designs included extensive use of silk fabrics and hand beading. His dresses were full and loose and often placed simple sheaths under chiffon coats. He received the Coty Fashion Award in 1954 and 1956 and was inducted into the Coty hall of Fame in 1959.
Alan Brenner maintains BlueTreeVintage.com a complete source of information on vintage dress. If your looking for a vintage courture dress view our selection.