AMERICAN DESIGNERS MADE NAMES FOR THEMSELVES IN THE ’40S (2024)

FAQs

Who were the American designers in the 40s? ›

American designers in the 1940s such as Claire McCardell, Bonnie Cashin, Brigance and Rudi Gernreich were a pervasive force in fashion history, liberating American fashion from the thralldom of Paris.

Christian Dior - 1940's

The following year, Dior revolutionized the entire fashion industry with his first official collection. His lavish ultra-feminine creations featured tight bodices and long full skirts that many times required up to 25 yards of fabric.

In July 1975, Giorgio Armani S.P.A was founded. The company's first collection—a men's clothing line—debuted when Armani was 42 years old. Today, Armani's brand can be found in major department stores around the world along with 500 exclusive retail stores.

On a late November night during 1973, five American fashion designers—Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Anne Klein, Halston, and Stephen Burrows—gathered at the Palace of Versailles to show against the five French designers considered the best in the world: Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel ...

Early '40s style

In the early part of the decade, new styles were being developed by American designers like Adrian, Claire McCardell, and Pauline Trigère. Many designers of this time preferred a lighter and less structured aesthetic than what was the norm in French fashion.

Known as the mother of contemporary American style, designer Anne Klein reinvented the sportswear popularized by designers like Claire McCardell and Clare Potter in the 1930s and 1940s and brought it into the ranks of high fashion.

1940s fashion icons

We're talking of course of the likes of Ava Gardner, Bette Davis, Rita Haywarth, Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, Katharine Hepburn and Doris Day.

Gianni Versace, (born December 2, 1946, Reggio Calabria, Italy—died July 15, 1997, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.), Italian fashion designer known for his daring fashions and glamorous lifestyle.

Striped casual shirts were popular in the '40s. Apart from the formal dress shirts, casual shirts really became big in the 1940s, there were many types, different patterns, and colors, but the “camp” style collar is definitely something we owe to the 1940s.

DIOR, 52, CREATOR OF 'NEWLOOK,' DIES; Designer Won Fame in 1947 for Style Innovation Christian Dior Is Dead at 52; Designer Created 'New Look' 'Tyrant of Hemlines' 'Luxury Must Be Defended'

Who were the first designers? ›

Charles Frederick Worth is believed to be the first fashion designer of the world, from 1826 to 1895. Charles, who was earlier a draper, set up a fashion house in Paris. It was he who started the tradition of fashion houses and telling his customers what kind of clothing would suit them.

The earliest fashion designs were knock-offs from styles worn by courtiers and royalty. In the late 1700s, Marie-Jeanne Rose Bertin, couturière to one of the most controversial Queens of France, Marie Antoinette, is regarded as one among the foremost female designers whose creations influenced Parisian styles.

1)Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel

Coco Chanel was and still remains one of the biggest names in the fashion and beauty industry. Coco soon became a famed fashion designer as she revolutionised the way women wore clothes, paving a new way for the fashion brand, she, being a fashion icon herself.

Two of the most prominent and influential fashion designers of the 1930s were Elsa Schiaparelli and Madeleine Vionnet.

Credited as being America's first internationally renowned designer, Halston (1932–90) defined American women's fashion of the 1970s and brought American fashion global attention.

Comedies, gangster movies, and musicals helped people forget their troubles. In the early 1940s, some of the great dramas of American film reached theaters. Radio was also wildly popular, offering many kinds of programs, from sermons to soap operas.

This decade, commonly called "the war years," is synonymous with World War II.

The overall 1940s makeup look was reasonably natural, topped off with a splash of red lipstick glamour. Foundation was natural or leaned towards a gentle sun-kissed tone, with a very subtle, natural rosy glow to cheeks. Shaped eyebrows were of medium thickness, brushed and gently coloured in.

Ann Lowe is widely regarded as the first well-known Black American fashion designer. Lowe was born in rural Alabama in 1898. The granddaughter of slaves learned to sew and make clothes from her mother and grandmother.

The "King of Fashion" in America in the 1910s, Poiret is most famous for his designs influenced by orientalism, Neoclassicism, and Surrealism: the kimono, the Turkish trouser, the slit skirt, and the famous lampshade dress.

How did girls dress in the 40s? ›

In a nutshell, women's 1940s fashion was about creating an hourglass silhouette with masculine details: padded shoulders, nipped-in high waist tops, and A-line skirts that came down to the knee. This was the everyday shape for clothing, from suits to dresses. Even pants had a similar high waisted, wide leg shape.

Rosie the Riveter is the icon of World War II women – strong but feminine.

Hedy Lamarr, the star MGM called “the most beautiful woman in the world”, had two of the worst-kept secrets in Hollywood.

Ralph Lauren, original name Ralph Rueben Lifsh*tz, (born October 14, 1939, New York, New York, U.S.), American fashion designer who, by developing his brand around the image of an elite American lifestyle, built one of the world's most successful fashion empires.

French designer, Christian Dior, defined the silhouette of the 1950s with his notable “New Look” which featured his iconic hourglass suit with voluminous skirts with heavy pleating, nipped waists, padded hips and soft shoulders. He designed with a philosophy to live by extravagance and beauty.

Inventive, opinionated and commercially minded, Mary Quant (1930 – 2023) was the most iconic fashion designer of the 1960s. A design and retail pioneer, she popularised super-high hemlines and other irreverent looks that were critical to the development of the 'Swinging Sixties' scene.

Whether it was for work, or to go to church or other social events, high-waisted pants and double-breasted jackets were a staple. 40s mens fashion brought about a slight revival of Zoot too, with pleated baggy trousers and hats with wide brims.

Yellow, red, and blue tones were incredibly popular. So too were soft greens like mint and aqua. Not unlike today, women tended to wear lighter, softer colors during summer months. Pastels were always appropriate for bright spring and summer days.

At the average price for a suit at the time, about $50, revenue would have been $1.25 billion. And that's in 1940s money. Accounting for inflation, the market would have been $12.5 billion.

Who was the first designer brand? ›

French fashion house Hermes is the oldest luxury brand in the world still in operation today. It was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermes. The designer originally produced saddles and other riding gear. The first unofficial Hermes bag designed in addition to riding equipment was designed to carry saddles.

Top 5 Fashion Designers of 1950's Women's Fashion

Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain, Jaques Fath, and of course Coco Chanel.

Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier were the pioneers of the movement, with the latter having a profound impact on the design of many public housing schemes in Britain. In Britain, the term Modern Movement has been used to describe the rigorous modernist designs of the 1930s to the early 1960s.

Raymond Loewy: The Father of Industrial Design - Designorate.

1. Coco Chanel. Born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, “Coco” was an exquisite French fashion designer and founder of the well-known CHANEL brand. Her modernist thinking, practical design, and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her an important and influential figure in 20th-century fashion.

The world's first female male model, former Olympic swimmer Casey Legler, describes her body and work in the fashion industry.

Kheris Rogers just became the youngest designer to debut a fashion line.

Coco Chanel

Considered by many to have been the greatest fashion force who ever lived, she created a fashion spirit, as well as a look. Aside from influencing most of the best young designers of her time in Europe and the U.S., she has had a lingering impact on fashion today.

1. Coco Chanel. Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, later known as “Coco” to the world, is perhaps the most iconic and influential fashion designer of all time.

What did flappers wear? ›

A typical flapper chose dresses that were of a straight style, sleeveless, and often low-cut as well as short—about knee-length, which was rather scandalous at the time. She wore stockings, often rolled to below the knee; had a bobbed, or chin-length, hairstyle; and used cosmetics on her face in a bold manner.

It is believed that fashion design began in the 19th century by a man named Charles Frederick Worth. Worth was the first person to have his own label sewn into the garments of clothing that were created by him.

American designers in the 1940s such as Claire McCardell, Bonnie Cashin, Brigance and Rudi Gernreich were a pervasive force in fashion history, liberating American fashion from the thralldom of Paris.

Elizabeth Hawes evening dress

During the 1930s, mitering became a popular design motif. One of its early pioneers was American dressmaker Elizabeth Hawes.

Brooks Brothers is an American clothing retailer founded in 1818, the oldest apparel brand in continuous operation in the United States. Originally a family business, Brooks Brothers produces clothing for men, women and children, as well as home furnishings.

Apfel celebrated her 100th birthday on August 29, 2021.

Although some designers began to dabble in scent production in the early 1900s, French couturier Paul Poiret, one of Chanel's greatest and nastiest rivals, is generally credited with being the first to introduce a signature fragrance in 1911.

Since they were expensive, there was a risk that other designers or fashion houses would start creating fakes or similar designs and sell them under Vuitton's name. In order to avoid this, George Vuitton trademarked the symbol and set one of the first examples of branding in fashion.

Two of the most prominent and influential fashion designers of the 1930s were Elsa Schiaparelli and Madeleine Vionnet.

The main “amusem*nt” of the evening was a display of fashion by five French couturiers (Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and Emanuel Ungaro), and their invited guests, the five American designers Bill Blass, Stephen Burrows, Oscar de la Renta, Halston, and Anne Klein ...

Who were among the major designers active in the 1950s? ›

1950s fashion overview

The end of the war also saw the return of couture fashion designers like Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, and Hubert de Givenchy who had a major impact in the style of the decade.

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, later known as “Coco” to the world, is perhaps the most iconic and influential fashion designer of all time. She learned to sew as a teenager in an orphanage, and her vision of simple and functional, yet classically stylish, women's clothing has made the Chanel brand coveted the world over.

Charles Frederick Worth is believed to be the first fashion designer of the world, from 1826 to 1895. Charles, who was earlier a draper, set up a fashion house in Paris. It was he who started the tradition of fashion houses and telling his customers what kind of clothing would suit them.

Two designers emerged on the American scene developing simple, casual styles that proved trendy and popular: Norman Norell and Claire McCardell. Norell's high-quality designs filled the void created by the absence of designs coming out of occupied Paris.

Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel, Burberry, Worth and Jeanne Paquin were some of the famous fashion designers during World War 1.

Louis Le Vau

André Le Nôtre

Jules Hardouin‑M...

Ange‑Jacq... Gabriel

Robert de Cotte

Claude Perrault

DIOR, 52, CREATOR OF 'NEWLOOK,' DIES; Designer Won Fame in 1947 for Style Innovation Christian Dior Is Dead at 52; Designer Created 'New Look' 'Tyrant of Hemlines' 'Luxury Must Be Defended'

Coco Chanel – One of the all-time best-known names in women's fashion, this French designer first made her mark after WWI, freeing women from the corset look and replacing it with a casual chic.

Spanning the shift from 'Mod' style through Space Age to hippy chic, this eye-popping collection features the work of many of the decade's most iconic designers – including Mary Quant, Barbara Hulanicki (Biba), Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin, André Courrèges, Pierre Cardin and Michael Fish.

Who was the fashion designer born in 1950? ›

Bruce Oldfield, OBE (born 14 July 1950) is a British fashion designer, best known for his couture occasionwear.