Colour photographs of fashion, 1940s, by John Rawlings

‘John Rawlings (1912-1970) was a Condé Nast Publications fashion photographer from the 1930s through the 1960s. Rawlings left a significant body of work, including 200 Vogue magazine and Glamour magazine covers to his credit and 30,000 photos in archive.’

- Wikipedia

All images: Corbis

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Thank you to The Fashion Spot

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CatM

August 31, 2011 at 3:55 pm · Reply

Wow, that picture of Gene Tierney stands right out, but I want to be the lady with the mirror. Why can’t photo shoots still look like this?

Anita

September 22, 2011 at 5:09 pm · Reply

Thanks for those. I remember my mother in styles like these. About half the syles are still wearable today and the other half look too “dressed up” and stiff for comfort. American fashions (the sweat suit, the T shirt) are big on comfort nowadays.
CatM – you can still get a photo shoot like this – you just have to go to the right photographer.

Glamourdaze

October 21, 2011 at 10:51 am · Reply

What a lovely collection of color fashion from the 1950s. It was all about circle skirts and knockout hats in that decade of Haute couture.I love the Gene Tierney photograph – atleast I’m almost sure it’s her.A very glamourous woman.Congratulations Chris on your marvellous blog. The Past truly is a foreign land, but your site is a pleasant free ticket back in time.

Andrew Thrift

October 24, 2011 at 4:51 am · Reply

Wonderful pictures, could have been taken last week. It goes to show that beauty and style are eternal (well, I’d like to think that anyway).

Brilliant web site, one of my favourites, thank!

Sandra

October 30, 2011 at 4:18 pm · Reply

I love these photos! I always think of the past as being in black and white, so it’s really fascinating to see these fashions in color. And I absolutely COVET the sandals on the woman in the plaid outfit – wish I could find some like them today!