The History of Haute Couture
Below is the first of several videos on their way featuring original footage from the fashion houses of Paris. Up until the 1950's Haute Couture or High Fashion traditionally catered for the upper class and wealthy. Now they began to seek a wider market, and within a year of a gown appearing on the catwalk in Paris or London, most women could access patterns in Vogue magazine for a fraction of the cost.
Nowadays, Haute couture comes straight into our local Pennys stores within a few short years.By the end of the decade, the leading couture houses were global brands. Oddly enough, one of the most famous names in French fashion - Coco Chanel - does not really feature.
The Golden Age of Couture Exhibition is beautifully preserved at the V & A Museum site. Well worth a visit for its interactive timeline of 1950's Fashion designers. You can also visit the online shop there and pick up some delicious books
Théâtre de la Mode
It really took off in 1946/47 when the Théâtre de la Mode exhibition took to the road with hundreds of dolls created by the likes of Christian Dior, Berard, Cocteau among others. The tour both raised funds for victims of war and helped get French fashion back on its feet.
Christian Dior - The New Look
Christian Dior opened his fashion house in 1947 and became an instant hit with his voluptiously feminine gowns giving the two fingers to the austerity of the war years fashion. Long full skirts and full busts brought women back from the factories into high fashion again. It was adopted by Princess Margaret who loved the femininity and youth it represented. As a result she became quite a fashion icon herself.
Here's a selection of famous outfits by famous designers of 1950's couture.
Hardy Amis - New Look suit.
Christian Diors Zemire.
Zémire' is one of Dior's most historical designs. It was named after an opera by Grétry.
Christian Diors Bar Suit & Hat
The Bar suit is one of the most important designs from Dior’s first collection. A tight-fitting jacket with padded hips that emphasise the tiny waist. A long pleated wool skirt, backed with cambric, which actually turned out be extremely heavy !
Jean Desses Evening Gowns.
Dessès was fascinated with draping and classical form and he was famous for gowns of great technical complexity.
Cristóbal Balenciaga - Barrel & Fitted Suits
Considered by many, including Christian Dior, as 'the master'. He arrived in Paris from Spain in 1937 and became the dominant figure within Parisian couture.
And finally - sit back and catch the ' latest' in Paris Fashion from 1956 in this wonderful video.