Fashion Group of Seattle Century 21 Fashion Show Collection

Fashion Group of Seattle Century 21 Fashion Show Collection, 1961-1962

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Fashion Group (Seattle, Wash.)
Title: Fashion Group of Seattle Century 21 Fashion Show Collection
Dates: 1961-1962 (inclusive)
19611962
Quantity: 1 box, (.42 cubic feet)
Collection Number: 1962.2821 (accession)
Summary: Materials documenting the 1962 Century 21 (Seattle World’s Fair) Fashion Show
Repository: Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions: The collection is open to the public by appointment.
Languages: English.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Fashion Group, Inc. was conceived in 1928 by Edna Wollman Chase, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue magazine, when she brought together a group of 17 women interested in the business of fashion. The group became a formal organization in 1930, and founding members included Elizabeth Arden, Eleanor Roosevelt and Helena Rubinstein.

At the time of the 1962 Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair), Bernice Caverly served locally as President of the Fashion Group of Seattle. She was also Frederick & Nelson’s Fashion Director, and the department store’s special fashion advisor to the fair.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of materials documenting the Seattle World’s Fair Fashion Show, including taped background music, programs, scripts and inventories of clothing and accessories. The Museum textile collection includes a selection of outfits and accessories worn during the fashion shows.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The Interiors and Fashion Exhibit at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair was part of the massive World of Commerce and Industry complex, which spread along the length of Broad Street for over 500 feet. Frederick & Nelson and other Seattle department stores worked with fair planners to develop the Fashion Pavilion exhibits and show. The Fashion Pavilion occupied 9,000 square feet and was designed to stage a fashion show with an adjacent area for exhibiting products from American textile and clothing companies. The theme of the exhibit was “The Miracle of American Fashion,” and four daily fashion shows showcased mid-priced women’s apparel from 20 clothing companies. Vogue magazine produced the shows and furnished scripts and commentators.

The Fashion show area had dressing rooms for models and a stepping stone runway resembling “lily pads” over a 24 x 40 foot perfumed pool sponsored by Revlon, which also provided cosmetics for the models. The scent of Revlon’s 4,600 gallon perfumed fountain changed each month. During the fashion shows, Clairol promoted their hair coloring products and Jantzen supplied the “foundation” garments. The 20 minute shows were held at 2, 4, 6, and 8 pm daily, and changed monthly with different clothing to reflect the changing seasons during the 6-month run of the fair.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Fashion Group of Seattle Century 21 Fashion Show Collection, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Location of Collection

2a.3.7

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Fashion Group of Seattle, November 11, 1962.

Separated Materials

These materials are part of a donation that also included a number of artifacts stored separately by MOHAI’s Collection Department. This textile collection includes accessories and the following clothing items from 20 American apparel brands, as worn in the fashion show:

Majestic: Brown and white wool sweater with tweed skirt
Jantzen: Gray pullover with gold cardigan and knickers
Bobbie Brooks: White pullover sweater and brown plaid skirt
Weatherbe: Amber colored coat
White Stag: Black plastic poncho and white pants
Rose Marie Reid: Navy and white swimsuit
Cole of California: Blue and white swimsuit
Century Sportswear: Gray herringbone wool dress
Miss Pat: Three-piece black and white glen plaid suit
Foster Hochberg/Sailmates of Seattle: Two-piece suit, jacket and pleated skirt
Evelyn Pearson: Red quilted robe
Catalina: Striped knit dress
Garland Knitting Mills: Three-piece tan suit
Handmacher-Vogue: Red and tan wool suit with stole
Koret of California: Two-piece butterscotch wool suit
Nelly Don: Black wool dress with tan trim
Leslie Fay: Navy wool dress
Sacony: Navy and red knit dress
R&K Originals: Beige metallic dress with belt
L’Aiglon: Short black dress

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
1	1962.2821A-D: Audiotapes of Fashion Show background music 4 reels : reel-to-reel ; Boxed individually. Songs listed on back on each box.	1962
Box/Folder
1/1	1962.2821.46: Artists rendering of outdoor Fashion Pavilion set design William and Frost , Design Consultant Black and white printed copy of drawing.	1961-1962
1/2	1962.2821.47: Fashion Show program Program for "The Miracle of American Fashion," fashion shows produced by Vogue magazine.	1962
1/3	1962.2821.48: Announcer’s script for Vogue Fashion Show 6 pages 1 original, 1 carbon duplicate	1962
1/4	1962.2821.49: Handwritten table of outfits and accessories in fashion show Instruction sheets for 20 outfits. Detailed instruction sheets originally attached to each outfit, giving models tips and directions regarding placement of jewelry and accessories.	1962

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Century 21 Exposition (1962 : Seattle, Wash.)
Fairs–Washington (State)–Seattle
Fashion shows--Washington (State)--Seattle

Geographical Names

United States--Washington (State)--Seattle

Form or Genre Terms

Audiotapes

Archives West Finding Aid

Table of Contents