Cinched in waists, A-line skirts, and generally all-round beautiful tailoring. I’ve had these things on the brain not just because Vogue ran a 1950s inspired photo shoot last month, but also because I recently discovered a suitcase full of photos from my granny’s modelling days.
Fashionising recently talked about how the 1950s look is emerging and evolving this year, and the A-line skirt features in Vogue’s A-Z of Autumn/Winter 2012 trends. As is often the case, however, I think it’s really the link between Hollywood and the catwalk that is behind the decade’s current appeal. My Week With Marilyn has undoubtedly had a role to play, and the lady herself was one of the greatest fashion icons of all time.
Looking through the photos of my granny made me wish she had left us more of her fabulous wardrobe. I wore her black chiffon dress embroidered with hundreds of tiny beads clustered into constellations to a ball last year, a dress which she told my mother was a Balenciaga. Hard to know for sure, though, because it was a sample and therefore didn’t have a label. It will just have to remain a mystery. Unless taking it to a vintage designer specialist would shed some light on the origin. I might try it and see; playing the fashion detective? Sounds like fun!
Wearing my Grandmother's dress
