The Gorgeous Golden Age of Couture ♥

My university course has been taking over my life over the past few weeks, but I don't mind too much since my presentation last week was on 'London and Paris Couture, 1947 to 1957. As you can imagine its not that gruelling a topic! Here is selection of the most stunning images I found during my research (They are way too amazing to keep to myself!)

= This is the book I used for my research, not only is it the most informative source I found on the subject, but it has so many pretty pictures. It totally brings out the magpie in me. (Wilcox, Claire. The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-57. London, V&A publishing, 2008.) Our friends over at A White Carousel had so many pretty images I just had to give them a mention!(http://awhitecarousel.com/)


The gorgeous gowns ♥

= Everybody loves abit of Dior ('Ecarlate' dress, Christian Dior. 1955, La Ligne Y collection.)

= ('Soiree de Decembre', Christian Dior. Autumn/Winter 1955, Y line collection.)

= The Iconic New Look that started it all (Bar Suit, Christain Dior. 1947, Ligne Corolle et en Huit Collection.)

= (Pierre Balmain, C.1950)

= (Jean Desses, 1953)

= ('Les Muguets'- Lily of the Valley. Hubert De Givenchy, 1955)

= (Dior 'Zemire Dress', 1954)

= JUST STUNNING (Organza emroidered with feathers and rhinestones, Pierre Balmain, c. 1955)

= And up close!

= (Cristobel Balenciaga, Autumn/Winter 1934)

= (Pierre Balmain, Spring/Summer 1957)

= The Queen has style! (Worn by Queen Elizabeth 2nd, on state visit to Paris. Norman Hartnell, 1957.)

= Oh and don't forget the shoes! (Roger Vivier for Christian Dior, 1958 and 1954 respectively)
Almost all of these images are from the Victoria and Albert Museum Archives.


Some period image inspiration ♥

= The ultimate in couture glam (image from Vogue, June 1948, photographed by Cecil Beaton)

= Janine Klein wearing Diors New look (Zig-Zag collection, Christian Dior. Autumn/ Winter 1950-51. British Vogue, 1948. Photographed by Clifford Coffin.)

= (Zig-Zag collection, Christian Dior. Autumn/ Winter 1950-51. British Vogue, 1948. Photographed by Clifford Coffin.)

= Opulence personified (Mary Jane Russel modelling Dior's 'Fish Scale' evening gown. American Harpers Bazaar, 1951.)

= (Dior evening gown, 1950)

= ('Zemire' dress in British Vogue, 1954. Christian Dior.)

= The main man himself checking out his designs (Christian Dior circa 1954)

= (1948, Coats by Molyneux and Hardy Amies)

= I don't know the sources for the above images (cheers Google) but I just had to include them!

= Audrey Hepburn you absolute doll ♥ (Hepburn wears Givenchy couture in the film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1961)

= Again in one of her bff Hubert de Givenchy's designs (Givenchy Wedding Gown in the film 'Sabrina', 1954)

= The custom of Royalty was incredibley important to couturiers (Maid of honour Dress worn for Princess Elizabeth's wedding by Princess Margaret. Designed by Norman Hartnell in 1947.)

= (Princess Margaret in a Norman Hartnell gown, photographed by Cecil Beaton.)

= (Circa 1955)

= Dior Haute Salon, 1957.

Legacy ♥

= Galliano created this collection using the brand through the ages as inspiration. This resulted in the New Look, translated for a modern audience.(Dior, Couture Fall 2007. Designed by John Galliano.)

= Simply Brilliant. (Alexander Mcqueen, Spring/Summer RTW 2011. Designed by Sarah Burton.)