1930: Vogue

(images: condenastart.com)

The 1960's: Mary Quant

From the Victoria & Albert Museum's 60's Fashion Exhibition, four of U.K. designer Mary Quant's frocks.

When contemporary designers reference that decade, this is primary source material! Forty years on, these still look fresh.


L. Ann

A Stitch In Time: The 1940's

Vogue: 1948

White is right ...

... even after Labor Day, especially in the hands of a talented designer. Top to bottom: Akris, Derek Lam, Zac Posen. All, Bergdorf Goodman.


L.A.E.


(images: bergdorfgoodman)

Bookshelf: Gres

Gres

by Laurence Benaim

Assouline USA

(images: Assouline)

Drama Queens

Top to bottom: Kay Unger New York, Chetta B, Carmen Marc Valvo.

I like the subtly sensuous "shuttering" pleats on the Chetta B and the cascading column of ruffles on the Valvo. The Unger calls Carolina Herrera's crisp luxury to mind.

Thousands cheer !


L.A.E.

(Images: Nieman Marcus)

1949: A Very Good Year

Of all the decades gone by, my unsurpassed favorite in 20th century fashion has to be the 1940's. These excellent examples -- from fashion magazines and advertisements in 1949 -- show what a peak design reached that decade, before the 1950's swept in.


L.A.E.

Cover Girl

Sofia Coppola, photographed by Mario Testino for French Vogue, 2004.