Fasion

Every woman's dream was to have a Paris original. There was no where to go to wear it, but she wanted one. These clothes were not the type of thing you wore to the Co-op. One of the great names of fifties fashion was Christian Dior. Each spring the big fashion houses would put on their shows with all of the pomp the French could manage. Dresses and coats for £50-£60 were worn by the glamorous models. The following day you could buy them in Woolwich market for £2/19/6.

Christian Dior

The Master. Christian Dior in 1952 at his studio, testing his new accessory. The little mirror on a stick.

Yves St Laurant

With the success of mirror Dior retired to make was for his successor Yves St Laurent. Here he is with top model Kouka in 1959. The hat was not a hit.

Dior Fashion

A classic Dior outfit. Guess where he got the inspiration for the design. I think that thing in the background is a clue.

Balenciaga

Balenciaga is another great name to conjure with. In 1955 he introduced the neck to the world.

British model Ann Gunning showing off this natty little knitted number. Only the British could come up with a knitted dress, suitable for a climate where it rains every day. If this dress looked like my knitted swim trunks when wet, she was in real trouble.