A Look At The Duchess Of Windsor

I just got a copy of The Windsor Style by Suzy Menkes. It's a fascinating book about a level of high life that none of us will ever see. The home furnishings, the art, the food and of course the fashion. There is no disputing how influential Wallis Simpson was in setting fashion trends, both in her dress and her jewels. Her whole life was glamorous, from her embroidered lingerie to her world famous jewelry. But here are some of her chic clothing choices.

 
"The Duchess of Windsor in the square-shouldered 1940's silhouette..."

"Wallis's severely plain crepe dress decorated with bows is by Mainbocher."

"Wallis using the chic bag as the essential 1940s accessory to trimly tailored suits."

"Wallis in Schiaparelli's carbon blue silk jersey dress and jacket embroidered with baroque gilded scrolls, photographed by Beaton at the Chateau de Cande on the Loire just before her marriage."

"The Duchess photographed by Horst in 1947 in a Scarlett O'Hara dress by Mainbocher. The austere high neck is balanced by the panniered taffeta skirt built out over an elaborate crinoline."

Slit Hemlines, Slashed Backs, Low Necklines - Evening Gowns - 1934

More beauty from McCall's Magazine, October 1934.
"Since ankles and evening slippers are both so pretty, it is too bad not to show them."
"As you see necks are very high or very low."
These are lovely and there is a surprising amount of skin showing...you needed to have confidence to carry these off!

Famous Fashion Designers Inspired by Silverware! - 1940 Better Homes and Gardens

Just in time for Christmas, "Community Plate - Leadership in Design Authority" shows us the silverware that inspired Balenciaga, Molyneux, Schiaparelli and Lelong to create these gowns.
Mind you, it was the silverware that came first...but thank goodness these mere dress designers had such inspiration!

BALENCIAGA took his style inspiration for this creation from Coronation* by Community ... the best loved pattern of all!

MOLYNEUX was inspired by the jewel like flower design of the loveliest pattern of the year...the new Milady*byCommunity.

SCHIAPARELLI created this exciting, dramatic gown, inspired by the exciting, deeply carved pattern, Forever*by Community.

LELONG designed this superbly simple gown in honor of the superbly simple pattern... Lady Hamilton* in Community Plate.