Faces of the Paris Couturiers, Part 1

You know their names, but what about their faces?  In day 1 of a 3 part series, here are the faces of the French Couture from 1950.

Christian Dior

Jacques Fath

Jean Desses

Pierre Balmain

Robert Piquet

Nina Ricci

Marie-Louise Carven

All photos by George Saad for L'art et la Mode

Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Balmain, 1956

This week I added lots of pink goodies to the website, so it's only appropriate that I finish the week in that vein.  Evening gown with long stole by Pierre Balmain, Fall 1956.  Just a little something, darlings!

Autumn Inspirations, 1949

Maggy Rouff, fall 1949

 Continuing our look back at fashion inspirations for fall, today's garments are from 1949.

Pierre Balmain, Fall 1949

Pierre Balmain jersey dresses, Fall 1949

Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Balmain, 1953

Pure perfection in my mind.   Those white roses at the waist are just the right finishing touch.  Pierre Balmain, 1953.

Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Balmain, 1957

The more I study the work of Pierre Balmain, the more he is becoming my favorite designer.  This deep pink silk evening gown from 1957 has a long train and is accented with a huge pink silk taffeta stole.  The photographer's choice to use a red backdrop is simply genius. 

Ball Gown, 1953

Pierre Balmain haute couture ball gown, 1953.  Blue silk faille with blue beading.  New Year's Eve anyone?

One Perfect Coat - 1952

I've been sitting here staring at this image for a couple of minutes wondering what to say.  But do I need to say anything except this is One Perfect Coat?  The black and white stylized zebra stripe.  The fit-and-flare cut.  The full sleeves that narrow towards the cuff.  The big pockets.  The turn of the collar.  Yep, One Perfect Coat!  Pierre Balmain, Fall 1952.

Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Balmain, 1961

Red.  Giant black polka dots.  Coat.  Pierre Balmain.  1961.  Love.  That is all.

Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Balmain, 1955

Today's June bride wears a stunning gown by Pierre Balmain from 1955.  White satin is embroidered and beaded with gorgeous lilies on long stems.

Pierre Balmain's Voluminous Sleeves - 1950

For the Spring of 1950, Pierre Balmain showed many blouses with huge voluminous sleeves.  I love this look, and wore sleeves like this often when they became popular again in the 1970s.  But there was always the problem of bunching and twisting when you tried to wear a blouse like this under a coat or jacket with slim sleeves.  Take a look at how Balmain solved this problem.

Here, the designer has shortened the sleeves of the tunic to 3/4 length, given them a slight flare and added a slit at the outside edge of the cuff.  The big white cotton sleeves of the blouse billow out below the tunic.

Balmain uses the same short flared sleeves on this suit jacket.  The white lace sleeves puff out below the jacket in a most feminine way.

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Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Balmain, 1948

Pierre Balmain designed this red velvet gown with attached train for his Fall/Winter 1948 couture collection.  What a way to celebrate the season!

Paris Couture Day Dresses and Suits - 1958

You may have noticed I've been posting pretty things from 1958 this week.  I thought I'd just continue that by taking a look at Paris couture suits and daytime dresses from the same year.  Which is your favorite?

Pierre Cardin camel suit with brown Astrakhan fur collar.

Pierre Balmain blue wool suit with matching Persian lamb lined stole.

Lanvin-Castillo rose wool day dress with knotted sash.

Guy Laroche wool day dress with fringed sashes.

Madeleine de Rauch wool boucle suit.

Mad For Plaid - 1972

It's 1972 and the whole world is mad for plaid. Plaid coats, plaid suits, plaid skirts, plaid pants. Plaid, plaid, plaid!

Get Gaston Jaunet wool plaid coat with cape style sleeves.

At left: Webe plaid overcoat with detachable capelet.
At right: Redine Loubens herringbone wool cape and knickers.

Dormeuil tartan plaid pant suit with bell bottoms.

At left: Boutique Nina Ricci plaid wool jacket worn over black pleated dress.
At right: Jean Patou Boutique bias cut wool coat with kimono sleeves.

Pierre Balmain Boutique fuzzy wool coat with capelet.

Paris Couture Evening Gowns - 1961

On the Paris Couture runways for spring of 1961, the favorite look for evening was anything but black. Lots of white and pastel shades were shown, and ethereal floating chiffons in floral prints were also wildly popular. Here are a few evening gowns for your enjoyment.

Mme. Grès slim-fitting gown in lime-yellow silk crepe with floating hip-length panels at the front and back.

Jean Patou slim-fitting sleeveless gown of white silk surah with big black polka dots. The matching jacket has black mink fur cuffs.

Jean Dessès silk chiffon evening gown in a yellow, orange, and white floral print. The gown is low-cut and fitted and has a floating wrap that is crossed and wraped at the shoulders.

Pierre Balmain two piece set. The silk marquisette top is covered with gold embroidery, coral beads, and rhinestones. It is worn with a white silk chiffon skirt.

One of the few black dresses for evening 1961 by Jacques Heim. Narrowly pleated black silk chiffon falls from a straight strapless neckline and has a wide black satin sash at the waist.