Harper’s Bazaar magazine has a long history of producing some of the most amazing fashion photography around. Back in the ’40s and ’50s, they published many works by Louise Dahl-Wolfe - here are some personal favourites. They display the sought-after refined elegance of the age, as well as some lovely outfits.

As always, click on an image to see in full, and then click again for the original size.

These images re-posted with thanks from Livejournal’s foto_decadent community, originally posted by user ana-lee.

A nice chap who collects vintage catalogues has lent us several choice publications for use as archival material in the Book.

Here’s one of my favourites - a very high quality catalogue filled with beautiful illustrations of shoes that can be ordered by the discerning customer.

Fostars was a Sydney establishment. I’ve found other catalogues from the ’50s, but nothing else about them although it looks as if the National Film and Sound Archive has an old cinema advertisement from 1940: that would be worth seeing!

Can you imagine receiving something as beautiful as this in your letter box in 1949? See below for the treats inside….click on an image to see in full, click again for the full size. Oh, if only it were this easy to find beautiful shoes nowadays.

Another wonderful exhibition for your diary - it’s a way off yet but promises to be absolutely amazing for those of us who treasure vintage couture at it’s glamourous best.

What: The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957. That’s Dior, sweetie!
Where: Bendigo Art Gallery
When: 7th December 2008 to 22nd March 2008

Details wantonly pinched from the BAG’s website:
Bendigo Art Gallery is proud to announce an outstanding exhibition for Summer 2008-09. The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957, organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum London, will be presented in Australia exclusively at Bendigo Art Gallery.

The Golden Age of Couture explores one of the most glamorous and remarkable decades in fashion history. Starting with the impact of Christian Dior’s New Look after the Second World War, it looks at the work of Dior and his contemporaries during the period when haute couture was at its height.

95% of the garments displayed are from the Victoria and Albert’s own collection (one of the best in the world) - it’s a part of the incredible (and sadly, for me, missed) exhibition which recently closed at the V&A in London - also called The Golden Age of Couture. For those who love books, a fabulous edition is available.

This is exciting and major - here’s a pic from the V&A show - Chiffon evening gown by Jean Desses.

Some snapshots from our session on WW2 fashions: 1939 to 1946 (the extra year is because fashions took a while to change after the war). I love this era! These garments are from my own private collection, and that of Dr Lynn Savery - and be warned, there are lots.

Wool princess line coat.

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We’ve been in the Blue Mountains this week to photograph some select couture pieces from Charlotte Smith’s Darnell Collection. Here you can see Charlotte sharing a fabulous beaded 1920s silk gown with us.

Charlotte is featured on this evening’s ABC programme The Collectors
Charlotte Smith’s collection has been described as “two centuries of elegance”. Three years ago Charlotte became the custodian of her godmother Doris Darnell’s world-renowned collection of vintage clothing and accessories, the largest of it’s kind in Australia. Dior, Versace, this collection has it all and it’s a treat indeed for the couture loving prof when he joins Charlotte for some high-end fashion ‘time travelling’.

You can see some more snaps I took during the session here. (more…)

Part Seven of the series on Loel Thomson’s Costume Collection.

World War 2 saw great changes in social roles and for clothing, the rising popularity of suits for women. ‘Forties suits are generally hand-tailored and of very high quality, designed to last the distance. As well as shoulder padding, some have bust and hip padding too, to create or emphasise the hour-glass silhouette.

I’m very fond of this era, the styles are classic and elegant and suitable for ladies of all ages. The princess line coats (see picture below the cut) are one of the most asked for styles at Circa.

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Had a wonderful time at Loel Thomson’s Costume Collection yesterday - many thanks to Loel for sharing her collection, and everyone who could join me.

Took many photos, and it’s hard to choose which to post, so shall bring them to you in sections according to category. The first one is appropriate as we consider the impending Spring and Summer: swimwear. Loel has set up a collection of men’s and ladies swimwear from the turn of the twentieth century to the 1970s - I especially like the way she’s accessorised everything!

Come inside for closer shots of some of my favourite bathing suits. (more…)

This week’s window. 1940s boudoir.