Le Chic Magazine January 1908
Eight Le Chic fashion magazines are currently patients in the Book Conservation Lab. The magazines came to us from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Library. They date from the early 20th century and were published in Vienna, Austria. The fashions are reminiscent of the costumes seen in Downton Abbey or Mr. Selfridge! Continue reading
One of the pieces from Visionaire issue “Touch” where actual string is stitched into the cardboard sheet.
The Hirshhorn Library has had the benefit of receiving creative, non-traditional items from generous contributors that reflect a playfulness with format and materials found in contemporary art. One such unexpected gift was that of the art and fashion periodical Visionaire , which has been published three times a year in limited quantities since 1991. Each issue has a particular theme that is illustrated in some form or another through the collaboration of Visionaire with contemporary artists and fashion designers from around the world.
Illustration from The Art of Knitting
In 1892, for 50 cents or 2 shillings, you could have purchased this month’s Cultural Heritage Library selection and wowed all your friends with the latest and most comprehensive guide to knitting on the market to date. The Art of Knitting (1892) was published as a companion to The Art of Crocheting and contains simple instructions for beginners as well as more complex fancy stitches and patterns for more seasoned craftsmen. As it stands, however, we are well into the Electronic Age and you can impress your friends and save your cash by downloading this title for free from the Internet Archive! Continue reading
What do you think of when you hear the words, Kentucky Derby? Hats, maybe? Because the Kentucky Derby is this weekend and since hats are associated with it, we decided to feature a trade catalog focusing on hats.
New York Millinery and Supply Co., New York, NY.
New York Millinery and Supply Co.: [catalog], 1901, trimmed hats.
Featured here is a Fall 1901 trade catalog by New York Millinery and Supply Co. Flip through this catalog and you will see page after page of hats, both trimmed and untrimmed. The company advertises that their hats have "all the latest and most stylish effects of the season." The trimmed hats are decorated with all types of accessories–feathers, ostrich plumes, rhinestone ornaments and pins, felt braid, ribbon, and more. The hats come in a variety of colors including black, navy, brown, cardinal, and royal blue. Also included in this catalog are untrimmed hats, caps for children, and the ornaments and accessories used to decorate the hats.
This New York Millinery and Supply Co. catalog is located in the Trade Literature Collection at the National Museum of American History Library. For more images of hats from this catalog, take a look at the Galaxy of Images.
—Alexia MacClain
Imagine wearing these dresses in the Spring or Summer!
John E. Kaughran & Co., New York, NY. John E. Kaughran & Co.'s Illustrated Catalogue, Spring and Summer, 1884, 1884, page 11, Ladies' suits.
With warmer weather just around the corner, we decided to feature a trade catalog showing Spring and Summer clothing. John E. Kaughran & Co.'s Illustrated Catalogue, Spring and Summer, 1884 takes us back to the late nineteenth century to show us the latest in fashion for the 1884 seasons.
Several styles of Ladies' walking suits are advertised in this catalog by John E. Kaughran & Co. of New York, NY . . .
The suit with the plaid pattern, shown in the middle, was priced at $16.50. Made of shepherd-plaid dress fabric, it has a kilt skirt with fringe at the bottom. The suit to the left, priced at $30, was almost double the cost of the shepherd-plaid dress. The front and back of this dress is trimmed with chenille ornaments and loops. Also shown on this page is a suit, priced at $25, made of silk and trimmed with fringe or lace and matching ornaments.
Another suit advertised in this catalog is a mourning suit made of all-wool black cashmere. The front of the suit has a short apron overskirt and the back has long full drapery. It was priced at $18.50.
John E. Kaughran & Co.'s Illustrated Catalogue, Spring and Summer, 1884 is located in the Trade Literature Collection at the National Museum of American History Library. Check out the Galaxy of Images to see more clothing styles from the 1884 seasons, including wraps and cloaks.
—Alexia MacClain
Related: Winter fashion from the 1884-85 season