Fifties Blog
Click on the little orange button to subscribe. Check back frequently because there is always something new in Fifties Blog's attempt to continue Living Fifties Fashion. My interests vary so today it may be Old Hollywood and tomorrow it may be Vintage Designer Gowns.
Norman Norell, New York Fashion Designer
Receiving the Coty American Fashion Critics award in 1943, 1951, 1956, 1958, and 1966, Norman Norell made his mark on the American Fashion industry by designing well made and timeless fashions.
My Little Mama Was a Rita Hayworth Look-Alike
Raised in the city, my little Mama was a vivacious tomboy. She liked roller skating, dancing, and riding motorcycles. She was definitely a wild child.
Continue reading "My Little Mama Was a Rita Hayworth Look-Alike"
Fifties Cowboys
Dale Robertson passed away February 26, 2013. He remains one of my earliest memories of fifties cowboys.
Dale Robertson played in the TV Series Wells Fargo from 1957-1962. Daddy liked the show and watched it faithfully each week. His favorite TV series was Have Gun Will Travel but he liked all Westerns.
We were living in a basement apartment on College Avenue when the time for Wells Fargo neared. As the opening credits rolled, the music played, and Dale Robertson's face appeared, Mama said, "Ah, there's my man."
Daddy turned the TV off.
Edith Head and Her 1950s Fashion Academy Award Winners
As one of the most prolific American Fashion Designers of all time, Edith Head costumes were featured in over 150 films during the 1950s alone.
Continue reading "Edith Head and Her 1950s Fashion Academy Award Winners"
Fifties Fashion Salute to President's Day
Wishing you a Happy 1950's President's Day.
Harry S. Truman President of the United States from 1945 to 1953.
His only daughter, Margaret Truman married Clifton Daniel on April 21, 1956. Her ankle length and three quarter sleeved 17th century beige Venetian lace Micol Fontana gown featured 25 yards of matching pleated tulle.
Dwight D. Eisenhower President of the United States from 1953 to 1961.
Mamie Eisenhower's 1953 inaugural ball gown was designed by Nettie Rosenstein and featured over 2,00 rhinestones. She was known to favor Scaasi designs yet clipped coupons for the White House staff.
Her recipe for "Mamie's Million Dollar Fudge" was featured in my grade school PTA recipe book.
Continue reading "Fifties Fashion Salute to President's Day"
Vintage Beauty
My fifteen year old granddaughter asked me one night if I had any make up remover she could use. After telling her she could use the facial cleanser that was on my vanity, she brought it to me pointing out it was anti-aging cream. She said, "Nana, I don't want to look nine years old!"
If it were only that easy to get that retro look.
Vintage Beauty Ads and Products
Vintage beauty standards were set when the Golden Age of Hollywood brought us classic beauty actresses and suave leading men.
1950s Wedding Dresses and Celebrity Weddings
Although not all 1950s wedding dresses were Hollywood glamour or celebrity wedding perfect, the fifties were the beginning of bridal fabulous.
Continue reading "1950s Wedding Dresses and Celebrity Weddings"
My Oklahoma City Grandma Made Bound Buttonholes to Rival Norman Norell's
Not every girl is blessed with a Grandma who made 1950s dresses nice enough to be sold in fine department stores. My Oklahoma City Grandma could do just that. She was a seamstress supreme.
Continue reading "My Oklahoma City Grandma Made Bound Buttonholes to Rival Norman Norell's"
Costume Designer Great Gilbert Adrian
Costume designer icon Adrian not only created film magic with Dorothy's ruby slippers, his celebrity dresses were worn by many of The Golden Age of Hollywood's most glamorous actresses.
The Sheath Dress Was a 1950's Style Favorite
Continuing with the Dior New Look premise of celebrating and emphasizing the woman's natural curves, the simple, versatile, and oh so snug sheath dress fast became a 50s dress staple.
Continue reading "The Sheath Dress Was a 1950's Style Favorite"
The Couturier Mainbocher
Naming it 'Wallis blue', the bridal wedding gown Mainbocher designed for Wallis Simpson became the most photographed and copied dress of the twentieth century.
American Fashion Designers From the Fifties
Despite criticism they were mere costumers, post WWII American fashion designers' ingenuity and creative genius led to some of the most visually appealing designer clothing in 1950s fashion history.
Continue reading "American Fashion Designers From the Fifties"
Polka Dot Dresses From The Fifties
Polka dot dresses were the one fashion staple chosen by vintage couture, Hollywood costume, and television wardrobe designers alike.
Famous Actresses From the Fifties
Famous actresses from the fifties were beautiful women who led glamorous Hollywood style lives and whose every move was caught on camera as latest celebrity gossip hinted of new scandals.
Famous Actors from 1950s Hollywood
A new breed of famous actors, called anti-heroes, were introduced to movie-goers in the fifties. They became as well known for their off-screen personalities as for their on-screen characters.
Coco Chanel and the Little Black Dress.
A classic Coco Chanel suit featuring a collarless jacket and well-fitted skirt was introduced in the 1920s along with the original little black dress. The usually associated with mourning color becam
American Fashion Icon Hattie Carnegie
Leaving a legacy of sophisticated style, Hattie Carnegie was a purveyor of American high fashion with a French flair. The "Carnegie Look" provided her exclusive clientele chic elegance..
Pierre Balmain's Elegant Creations
A Pierre Balmain haute couture featured elaborately embroidered and full skirted dresses that were sought after for runway events throughout Hollywood.
Hi! My name is Rita. Now that alone tells you I am a child of the fifties. I was named after one of the most beautiful stars during my Mama's day, Rita Hayworth. This site is an examination of all things fifties. You may read about the real me and my 1950s life in my About Me page. Feel free to visit anytime.
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.