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Model

Edeline Wrigh

Posts: 178

Bloomington, Indiana, US

I'm not having much luck finding sources on this on my own.

I know the fashion industry was not as prominent in the 1950s, but it's my understanding that it existed at least enough to be "emerging." If that's correct, does anyone know what the industry standards (if there were any) for fashion models at that time were?

I mean fashion as opposed to pinup/glamour/other genres. wink

Thanks!

Jan 27 12 01:35 pm Link

Model

Henna N.

Posts: 3464

Brooklyn, New York, US

hmmm, I would start out by going to the library/bookstore and finding books on the history of big fashion houses that were around back then. Dior, Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, etc.   Those books should have at least some information on the types of models they used for their campaigns and who the models were.


Also, I've seen lots of "history of fashion" books at bookstores. There probably aren't much in libraries though.  Those will have lots of info.

Jan 27 12 01:45 pm Link

Photographer

Luminos

Posts: 6065

Columbia, Maryland, US

Edeline Wrigh wrote:
I'm not having much luck finding sources on this on my own.

I know the fashion industry was not as prominent in the 1950s, but it's my understanding that it existed at least enough to be "emerging." If that's correct, does anyone know what the industry standards (if there were any) for fashion models at that time were?

I mean fashion as opposed to pinup/glamour/other genres. wink

Thanks!

Actually, the fashion industry had greater influence back then than now.   It is true that the models were not paid as highly, but most women changed out their wardrobes more often in the 1950s, as fashions were more volatile.   Hollywood drove a great deal of it.

But the huge proliferation of studios, movies, TV channels, and internet have all worked to water down the influence of the fashion industry.   In terms of the ability of any designer or magazine to direct where the industry is going, that peaked in the '50s and early '60s, and has gone downhill since.   ("The Devil Wears Prada" not withstanding.)

Jan 27 12 02:25 pm Link

Photographer

E O

Posts: 564

Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania, US

Check out Norine Perreault, Perreault photography, New York, New York, US
Mayhem #726418
and look at her website http://norineperreault.wordpress.com/  .You will see a photograph of her as a model in the 50's and will see how she has carried the grace of high fashion photography into the curent age.

Jan 27 12 02:40 pm Link

Model

Edeline Wrigh

Posts: 178

Bloomington, Indiana, US

Luminos wrote:

Actually, the fashion industry had greater influence back then than now.   It is true that the models were not paid as highly, but most women changed out their wardrobes more often in the 1950s, as fashions were more volatile.   Hollywood drove a great deal of it.

But the huge proliferation of studios, movies, TV channels, and internet have all worked to water down the influence of the fashion industry.   In terms of the ability of any designer or magazine to direct where the industry is going, that peaked in the '50s and early '60s, and has gone downhill since.   ("The Devil Wears Prada" not withstanding.)

Thank you for this clarification. smile

Jan 28 12 12:09 pm Link

Photographer

FLI Images

Posts: 1224

Leeds, England, United Kingdom

Is this of any interest? 1950s fashion photographs with links down the right hand side to more 1950s fashion.

It will at least give you an indication of what the models looked like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ4vD073 … re=related

Jan 28 12 05:09 pm Link

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