Schiaparelli Patterns, Part 2

Vogue Paris Originals by Schiaparelli and Jacques Heim, fall 1949
Paris Originals by Schiaparelli (left) and Jacques Heim (right). Vogue, November 15, 1949. Photo: Richard Rutledge.

This week, the second part of my series on commercial sewing patterns by Elsa Schiaparelli. (See Part 1 here.)

Schiaparelli was one of the eight couturiers who licensed designs for the first Vogue Paris Originals in 1949. Vogue’s first Schiaparelli pattern was a skirt suit with double pockets and one-sleeved blouse, Vogue 1051:

1940s Schiaparelli suit and blouse pattern - Vogue 1051
Vogue 1051 by Schiaparelli (1949) Image: Blue Gardenia blog.

The suit was photographed in Paris by Clifford Coffin:

Vogue 1 Mar 1949 Schiaparelli
Vogue 1051 by Schiaparelli. Vogue, March 1, 1949. Photo: Clifford Coffin.

The photo that opens this post shows Vogue 1074, a Schiaparelli dress and shortcoat from Vogue’s fourth series of Paris Originals. The original coat was lined with astrakhan. (The suit on the right is Vogue 1076 by Jacques Heim.)

1940s Schiaparelli coat and dress pattern - Vogue 1074
Vogue 1074 by Schiaparelli (1949) Image: Pinterest.

New Look curves characterize this Schiaparelli suit pattern from spring, 1950, which was photographed in Paris by Norman Parkinson. The short-sleeved jacket has rounded, stiffened hips, while the kimono-sleeved blouse buttons its curved fronts to one side. Vogue recommends making the blouse from the suit’s lining fabric:

1950s Schiaparelli suit and blouse pattern - Vogue 1098
Vogue 1098 by Schiaparelli (1950) Photo: Norman Parkinson. Image: eBay.

Vogue 1133 is a vampy, short-sleeved dress with hip-enhancing pocket flaps and convertible collar at both front and back:

1950s Schiaparelli dress pattern - Vogue 1133
Vogue 1133 by Schiaparelli (1951) Image: eBay.

Arik Nepo’s photograph plays up the dress’ severity:

Vogue 1133 15Feb1951
Vogue 1133 by Schiaparelli. Vogue, February 15, 1951. Photo: Arik Nepo.

Vogue 1142 is a faux suit, an asymmetrical dress with a skirt front extension that creates the illusion of a jacket on one side. (Much like Galliano’s Givenchy jumpsuit, Vogue 1887.) The shaped projections of the big, rounded collar, skirt extension, and off-kilter double-breasted closure playfully destabilize the garment:

1950s Schiaparelli dress pattern - Vogue 1148
Vogue 1148 by Schiaparelli (1951) Image: Vintage Patterns Wiki.

This Schiaparelli evening dress pattern, Vogue 1144, includes a petticoat and diaphanous kerchief. Look closely, and you can see that the oversized, decorative pockets extend almost the length of the skirt:

1950s Schiaparelli pattern Vogue 1144
Vogue 1144 by Schiaparelli (1951) Image: Vintage Patterns Wiki.

Here’s a closer look at Henry Clarke’s photo:

Vogue 1144 15 May 1951
Vogue 1144 by Schiaparelli. Vogue, May 15, 1951. Photo: Henry Clarke.

In 1952 Schiaparelli showed inverted heart necklines for spring; with its pointed, stand-away neckline and narrow shawl collar, Vogue 1179 allowed the home dressmaker to be right up to date. The cocktail dress closes with not one but two side zippers:

Vogue 1179 (1952)
Vogue 1179 by Schiaparelli (1952) Image: eBay.

Vogue magazine showed an alternate photo by Robert Randall:

Vogue 1179 15May1952
Vogue 1179 by Schiaparelli. Vogue, May 15, 1952. Photo: Robert Randall.

Frances McLaughlin photographed Bettina in Vogue 1198, a short evening dress with what Vogue called “a big pleated bandage—like an outside order ribbon” wrapping over one shoulder and around the waist. The original was made in black silk brocade:

Bettina photographed by Frances McLaughlin in Vogue 1198, fall 1952
Vogue 1198 by Schiaparelli. Vogue, October 15, 1952. Model: Bettina. Photo: Frances McLaughlin.

Here’s a catalogue page for Vogue 1198, with illustration and alternate photo:

Vogue 1198 catalogue
Vogue 1198 in a 1950s Vogue Patterns counter catalogue.

Vogue 1231 is a day dress with a single patch pocket and bloused bodice gathered to a dramatic convertible collar:

1950s Schiaparelli dress pattern - Vogue 1231
Vogue 1231 by Schiaparelli (1953) Image: Betsy Vintage.

The dress was photographed in Paris by Robert Randall:

1950s Schiaparelli pattern Vogue 1231 summer 1953
Vogue 1231 by Schiaparelli. Vogue, August 15, 1953. Photo: Robert Randall.

Finally, Vogue 1245 is a long evening dress with an attached stole that passes through the bodice front:

Drawing showing details of Schiaparelli evening dress pattern - Vogue 1245
Illustration for Vogue 1245 by Schiaparelli (1954)

The stunning gown was photographed by Roger Prigent:

Vogue 1245 1Jan1954
Vogue 1245 by Schiaparelli. Vogue, January 1, 1954. Photo: Roger Prigent.

If you don’t have the budget for an original Schiaparelli pattern, a reproduction of the one-sleeved stole from Vogue 1068 is available from Decades of Style:

Vogue 1068 by Schiaparelli. Sketch by David
Vogue 1068 by Schiaparelli. Sketch by David, Vogue, August 1, 1949.

14 thoughts on “Schiaparelli Patterns, Part 2

  1. thanks for such an interesting read! The innovative design in Schiaparelli patterns is such a delight. Love the single sleeve stole as well as Vogue 1144 with the extended pockets.

  2. Oooh, pattern porn!! Thank you for sharing! Now why can’t Vogue come up with something as fabulous as this for their new designs?! – these look like a great challenge with an incredible dress/suit as the reward at the end.

  3. Thanks for a wonderful post. I especially like the evening dress with pockets. I happened to be watching this year’s Oscars when Ellen de Generes asked if somone in the audience could pay for the (not very funny) pizza delivery — of course not. No pockets in their evening gowns!

  4. So lovely! Some of the necklines are amazing! I love the shortcoat- Vogue 1074- I could easily wear that now! Thank you for sharing these!

  5. Such beautiful clothes. Thanks for the very interesting read – one of my favourite designers. Do you think vogue will reprint some of these?

    1. Thanks, Ruth. Vogue Patterns has said they can’t reissue their old designer patterns (I wrote to them and asked). But one can’t help wishing they’d renegotiate their agreements with the couture houses!

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