I realize it has been awhile since I've had my last fashion photography flashback. How better to bring back this ongoing series with this wonderful image below.
This is a press photograph taken from 1947. How lovely are these ladies dressed? I can just imagine what they must have looked like in full color. It would be lovely to see the colors of red and blue in this mix. I also find the backdrop fascinating with the palm tree and Arrowhead Hotel cabana area just behind these lovely ladies. You can almost feel the rays of vintage sunshine! California couture during the late 40s was so very enchanting and I've discussed it briefly in other posts how some amazing American designers were starting to make their mark and there were even a couple of great magazines "California Stylist" and "The Californian" that were directly marketed at California style.
I think I'm also very much drawn to this image because they are all dressed so charmingly in different styles of suits.
Here is the caption from the reverse of the photograph:
The Newest
In Spring Suits –were shown at the Miss Hollywood Junior “Toast to Mexico”
fashion display recently held at the popular Arrowhead Springs Hotel in
Southern California, Left to right “La leina” is the the name given this suit,
fashioned of Quartz blue and Matador black Botany flannel. The
matching blue Milan hat is by 11 Strann. The model is Helene
Willys. “Estrelita” is the “little star” in any woman’s
wardrobe, the second in this group of new styles. Cortez gold
gabardine is the material used and the on-button closing is featured on the
coat. The model is Carolyn Collins. Third in
the line is a suit of Adobe beige gabardine with skirt of Pottern brown
gabardine, featuring the longer line jacket with back flare. Model
is Jean Chequette. Grey Botany flannel was used for this
bolero suit, with interesting trim of Toreador red silk cord and
tassels. A straw hat of red, featuring a high-ribboned trim of
matching red was worn by model Dorothea Conner (Connor?). “Senorita”
is the name of the Pottery brown Botany gabardine suit, trimmed with Adobe
beige, featuring the longer jacket with buttons up the front. Worn
with the suit by Model Peggy Loya is Phil Strann’s Pottery
brown baku hat.
I googled each of the young ladies in the photograph hoping to find something on them but didn't have any luck.
I did also find that the lovely
Janie of AtomicRedHead has a "Miss Hollywood Jr" dress! At first I thought this was some kind of pageant due to the name "Miss Hollywood", but it's actually a fashion label. Very interesting, indeed. I'd love to learn more about this label.
I also wanted to zoom in on some of the details so you all could get a better look.
How cute is that tassel brooch?
I just love 40's shoe wear!
I was able to find some vintage images of the location shoot of this image. Wouldn't this have been a grand place to stay? I was actually surprised at how "modern" this hotel looked. These images below are mainly from 1940 (with the exception of the third photograph of the swimming pool).
