Weekend Eye Candy - Norman Hartnell Wedding Gown, 1960

It has become a tradition around here to feature brides and wedding dresses for our Weekend Eye Candy posts during the month of June.  Norman Hartnell designed this silk organza wedding gown for Princess Margaret.  She is also wearing the dramatic Poltimore tiara, which was sold by her children after her death.  The wedding took place on May 6, 1960 and it was the first Royal Wedding broadcast on television worldwide.

Weekend Eye Candy - Valentino, 1960

Valentino Haute Couture evening gown from Fall-Winter 1960.  Valentino called this gown the "Lucky".  The gown is fashioned of black silk velvet with eleven tulle flounces that form the flared skirt with train and a matching shawl completes the look.

1960 Couture Evening Gowns and Party Dresses

Time to tell us, which is your favorite of these couture looks from 1960?

Christian Dior

Carven

Maggy Rouf

Jacques Griffe

Mme. Gres

Jacques Heim

Emilio Pucci Capsula - 1960

 Would you have guessed this jumpsuit by Emilio Pucci dates to 1960?  Pucci called this piece the "capsula" (which means capsule in English) as it encapsulated the body from head to toe.  He made it in several versions and in both prints and solids of a stretch silk/Helanca nylon blend shantung.  The little boots were made to match by Albion for Emilio Pucci.

Above left:  One piece capsula in blue print with V neckline.  Sold in 1960 for $150 (about $1,121 in today's dollar.)
Above right:  Sleeveless top with separate pants gives the look of one piece in a pink print.  Sold in 1960 for $110 (about $822 in today's dollar.)

One piece capsula in pink with a Pucci print silk shirt worn as a jacket.  Set sold in 1960 for $175 (about $1,308 in today's dollar.)

I've never seen one of these capsula jumpsuits for sale anywhere, but Rice and Beans Vintage just listed a pair of the  Albion boots.  Aren't they great?

Betty Barclay Dress - 1960

The Betty Barclay line was one of the many labels owned by the Jonathan Logan Group. The line is still in existence today in Europe. In 1955, Max Berk of Heidelberg, Germany bought the license to distribute Betty Barclay clothing in Europe. In 1972, he bought the line outright. Today, Betty Barclay stores can be found in Germany, Austria, and Slovakia and Betty Barclay clothes are sold throughout Europe.

The image above is from Spring, 1960. The full skirted dress had a printed bodice with a belt to match. Over that, the little bolero jacket buttoned up the side. There was an attached netting crinoline to add fullness to the skirt. Cute, no? Sold in 1960 for $18.00 (about $133 in today's dollar.)

Weekend Eye Candy - Balenciaga 1960

From 1960, the back of a pink shot silk "Amphora" evening gown by Balenciaga. Photo by David Seidner.

The same gown from the front, this time in black from the collection at the V&A museum. Interesting how different it looks from photo to photo, no?

Black and White Dressing - 1960

Sometimes, with the raucous colors of summer all around you, dressing in simple black and white makes you stand out from the vibrant crowd. Don't forget your wide brimmed hat to protect your face from the sun. Here, summer dressing from 1960.

Black and white striped cotton dress by Jerry Parnis. Sold for $50 in 1960 (about $371 in today's dollar). Hat by Hattie Carnegie.
Black and white gingham binding is centered on black velvet ribbon and then used to decorate simple white cotton organdy. Dress by Highlight. Sold for $90 in 1960 (about $668 in today's dollar). Lilly Daché hat.

Black on white polka dots with a wide waist of white on black polka dots in Dacron/cotton voile. Dress by Abe Schrader. Sold for $30 in 1960 (about $223 in today's dollar). Hat by Emme.

Tiffeau and Busch black and white leaf patterned cotton dress with a matching bell sleeved jacket. Sold for $120 in 1960 (about $891 in today's dollar). Hat by Elizabeth Arden.

Black lace is stitched to white cotton to emulate a scarf in this dress by Oleg Cassini. Sold for $90 in 1960 (about $668 in today's dollar). Dior-New York hat.

First photo by Saul Leiter. The rest by Louis Faurer.

Summer Dresses - 1960

While most of the shapes stay the same as the 1950s, hemlines are shorter, and there is less emphasis on a tiny waist. Here, dresses for hot summer days from 1960. The first 4 photos were taken by photographer extraordinaire, Lillian Bassman for Harper's Bazaar at the Hacienda Galindo outside San Miguel de Allende in Mexico.

American Golfer pink dotted swiss cotton top and pleated skirt. Sold for $18 in 1960 (about $134 in today's dollar).

Shirtdress in green silk can be worn belted or loose. By Products of India. Sold for $40 in 1960 (about $297 in today's dollar).

Mollie Parnis coral dress in cotton/nylon blend. Sold for $90 in 1960 (about $668 in today's dollar).

Hannah Troy blue and white gingham check fitted tank top and long full skirt with a matching triangle scarf. Sold for $70 in 1960 (about $520 in today's dollar).

Ben Reig black and white micro-stripe cotton dress with a pleated full skirt and side seam pockets. Sold for $160 in 1960 (about $1188 in today's dollar). Hat by Lilly Daché.

Last photo by Saul Leiter.

Luis Estevez - 1960, Part 1

In the late 1950s and early 60s, it was common for travel destinations and tour companies to do fashion spreads in magazines in a combined marketing effort. Photos would be taken of models wearing designer clothes in exotic locales. The clothing would enchant the magazine reader, while extolling the charm of the travel destination. The photos I'll show you today and tomorrow feature fashions of Luis Estevez in a multi-page advertisement for travel to Mexico from 1960.

Two models climb the pyramids of San Juan Teotihuacan.
At left, a black, white, and yellow cotton daisy print dress with Kabuki sleeves. Sold for $65.00 in 1960 (about $478.00 in today's dollar).
At right, a black silk/linen sheath with matching stole. Sold for $70.00 in 1960 (about $515.00 in today's dollar).

Cotton windowpane check is used for these two dresses, photographed at Acapulco's Gold Coast Beach. Note how the necklines are cut to follow the pattern of the fabric.
At left, black and white sheath. Sold for $50.00 in 1960 (about $368.00 in today's dollar).
At right, blue and white full skirted dress. Sold for $65.00 in 1960 (about $478.00 in today's dollar).

In Colonial Guanajuato, a Spanish silver mining town, the model wears a silk dress with giant black polka dots. A wide black patent belt narrows the waist under the floating topper. Sold for $70.00 in 1960 (about $515.00 in today's dollar).

At the cathedral of Guanajuato, the model wears a cotton zebra striped ensemble. The dress has a solid black bodice with cap sleeves. The jacket floats away from the fitted dress. Sold for $110.00 in 1960 (about $809.00 in today's dollar).

At the diving cliffs of Acapulco, a black and white silk sheath with Kabuki sleeves and a set-in belt. Sold for $65.00 in 1960 (about $478.00 in today's dollar).

Tomorrow, evening fashions by Estevez from the same photo shoot.

All photos by William Ward for a multi-page advertisement that appeared in Harper's Bazaar, 1960.