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In a previous post, Madge featured one of the fashion magazines she found in a dusty pile at an estate sale. That post, How to Dress, looked at a fall issue of Glamour Magazine from the 1940s. Today we are boosting the glamour quotient with another fashion mag from the pile, the November 1966 issue of Harper’s Bazaar loaded with fabulous holiday looks that could be right off of today’s runways. Presenting holiday party style 1966.
This issue leads off with a bang with this fold-out cover of Dorothy McGowan wearing two versions of a silver sheath by Norman Norell. This gown was available in a color block of either copper or fuchsia. Madge loves the subtle details of the standup collar and loose sleeves that add interest to the straight lines of the dress. Which is your favorite of the two colors?
A few pages in, Madge spotted this ad for a dress from Promenade that is almost exactly like the one we had in the shop. Quelle surprise!
This negligee ad is a hoot. The idea of a negligee made of velveteen has Madge’s head spinning, and what in the heck is that song – “All Alone by the Telephone”?
Even though Mr. & Mrs. Madge have an extensive collection of standards on LPs and 78s, we still had to search Spotify to figure this tune out. The version we found was on a 1959 Polly Bergen album with a cover shot of her, wait for it, wearing a negligee. Take a listen here.
Now it’s time for jewelry. Here’s a breathtaking ad from Monet for their Marchesa collection.
This two-page spread of Givenchy gowns, Fringes and Scallops shows two sides of his 1966 winter collection. On the left is a white satin crepe with a matching fringed floor-length cape. On the right, a petal-tiered number in pale yellow silk faille.
More jewelry, this time a striking bracelet collection from Napier. The phrase “Wrist makeup” is so witty. Isn’t the filigree comb with the case interesting?
One of the main photo shoots in this issue is titled What’s Wicked. First up is this Elizabeth Arden silk chiffon gown with a black mink bodice and black satin straps. Madge would love this today in faux fur.
Below is a Michael Kazan beaded dress, but the main focus of the photo is the glorious triangle rhinestone earrings from Vendome.
To the right, is a white crepe dress by Stella with a bolero of fuchsia and pink sequins with another fabulous pair of Vendome earrings.
Below is a pink crepe gown with a white wool beaded jacket from Leslie Morris. The bracelet and earrings are by Mimi di N.
Both of these gowns are so of the era and yet still so stylish. Wouldn’t you love to see them in color?
Shocking perfume was introduced by the House of Schiaparelli in 1937. Schiap was in the midst of her surrealist period and ads from back then were created by collaborators Salvador Dali and Marcel Vertes. The bottle was a bit of a scandal. There’s a wonderful article on the history of this iconic perfume showing some of the ads on one of my favorite blogs – Bois de Jasmin.
More baubles, this time an amazing collection from Weiss, renowned for the quality of their rhinestones. As the ad says wear these and “Knock ’em dead”.
And onto more “wickedness” with these two dresses in sensational fabrics. A gold brocade by Arnold Scaasi and a dress by Sophie in a gold, green, and silver obi print. We have a wonderful gold brocade kimono coat in the shop right now, probably from the same decade. Take a look.
The other major fashion spread, Mosaic Paillettes features some gleaming jeweled gowns. This one by Marbel Junior evokes Moorish Spain with its spangled waves of multi-colored paillette sequins on a coral silk background. The hairstyle is so quintessentially swinging sixties.
Yves St. Laurent is in a Medieval mood with this silver evening dress.
And possibly Madge’s favorite of all of these amazing gowns, one by Maria Antonelli featuring triangular pieces of metal stitched together with gold thread. Che Bella!
Please leave your comment on which of these fabulous gowns from Holiday Party Style 1966 is your personal favorite.
As we leave the sixties here’s a piece of advice from Clairol on the back cover that still holds true.
Party On!
I want to get married in that white crepe by Stella.
Oops, I already am.
Love to Mr.and Mrs.Madge
Ginger