Fashion Group of Seattle Century 21 Fashion Show Collection, 1961-1962
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Historical Note
- Historical Background
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- 1962.2821A-D: Audiotapes of Fashion Show background music, 1962
- 1962.2821.46: Artists rendering of outdoor Fashion Pavilion set design, 1961-1962
- 1962.2821.47: Fashion Show program, 1962
- 1962.2821.48: Announcer’s script for Vogue Fashion Show, 1962
- 1962.2821.49: Handwritten table of outfits and accessories in fashion show, 1962
- Names and Subjects
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 Note
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 Description
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 Background
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 Collection
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 Information
Location of Collection
2a.3.7Acquisition 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 Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
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Description: 1962.2821A-D: Audiotapes of Fashion Show background music4 reels : reel-to-reel ;
Boxed individually. Songs listed on back on each box.
Dates: 1962Container: Box 1 -
Description: 1962.2821.46: Artists rendering of outdoor Fashion Pavilion set designWilliam and Frost , Design Consultant
Black and white printed copy of drawing.
Dates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/1 -
Description: 1962.2821.47: Fashion Show program
Program for "The Miracle of American Fashion," fashion shows produced by Vogue magazine.
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/2 -
Description: 1962.2821.48: Announcer’s script for Vogue Fashion Show6 pages
1 original, 1 carbon duplicate
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/3 -
Description: 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.
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/4
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
