Forties Fashion: From Siren Suits to the New Look - Hardcover

Walford, Jonathan

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122 ratings by Goodreads

9780500514290: Forties Fashion: From Siren Suits to the New Look

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0500514291 ISBN 13: 9780500514290

Publisher: Thames & Hudson, 2008

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"A fascinating narrative... Great stories, remarkable acts of patriotism...mark the indomitable spirit of humanity."―Booklist

Here is a definitive look at fashion in the 1940s―from French style under the Occupation and the “make do and mend” approach to wartime clothing shortages through the development of faux fabrics, the rise of American fashion houses, and the New Look of the post- war period.

The illustrations reveal the wide range of fashions and styles from the 1940s in North America, Europe, Australasia, and Japan. The lively text by fashion specialist Jonathan Walford details how fashion was considered not a frivolity but an aesthetic expression of circumstances in the 1940s. While Fascist states tried to create “national” styles before the war began, by 1940 the pursuit of beauty was promoted on both sides of the conflict as a patriotic duty. From prewar to postwar, we see attitudes emerge from period advertisements, images of real clothes, and firsthand accounts in contemporary publications. The result is a celebration of everything from practical and smart-looking attire for air raids (hooded capes with large pockets and siren suits) to street fashion and the creation of Christian Dior’s “New Look” collection in 1947. 196 color and 54 black-and-white illustrations

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About the Author:

Jonathan Walford was the founding curator of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto and a founder of the Fashion History Museum in Canada. His previous books include Forties Fashion. He lives in Canada.

From Booklist:

What’s past can be present: in this worldwide perspective on pre–, during, and post–World War II fashions, curator Walford provides a fascinating narrative—all populated by four-color and black-and-white illustrations, photographs, and ads—on what women could and did wear some 60 to 70 years ago. Every nation participates; the infamous 1933 German boycott of Jewish businesses (retail, in particular) begins the lengthy story. Parisians’ refusal to cede the title of world couturier leads to the real postwar charge of collaboration against such brand-name luminaries as Jacques Fath and Marcel Boussac. American ingenuity with limited resources and materials results in California casual design—and a country intent on winning the war with whatever was needed. It’s also an era that marks the ascension of trousers for women, “fake” textiles such as rayon and celluloid, and the tremendous generosity of Americans to other war-besieged lands (a little-known fact is that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt sent previously worn bridal gowns and veils to British servicewomen to use during their weddings). Great stories, remarkable acts of patriotism—yes, even in female fashion—mark the indomitable spirit of humanity. --Barbara Jacobs

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