Richard Avedon and Sally Victor: Simplicity Pattern Book, 1950

1950s Simplicity Pattern Book detail
Photo: Richard Avedon. Image: PatternVault shop.

During his early period as a fashion photographer, Richard Avedon (1923-2004) did some work for Simplicity, including the Fall-Winter 1950 issue of Simplicity Pattern Book:

Fall-Winter 1950 Simplicity Patterb Book - cover by Richard Avedon
Simplicity Pattern Book, Fall-Winter 1950. Photo: Richard Avedon. Image: eBay.

The suit is Simplicity 3310, made in Botany flannels and worn with “[m]atching hat designed for Simplicity by Sally Victor,” Simplicity 3322.

Inside, the hat is shown photographed by Halley Erskine:

1950s Sally Victor hat pattern Simplicity 3322 in Simplicity Pattern Book
Make your own hat from a Sally Victor design. Simplicity Pattern Book, Fall-Winter 1950. Photos: Halley Erskine.

The back cover is a Botany ad, apparently from the same Avedon photo shoot:

1950s Botany ad featuring Simplicity 3322 and 3310
Botany advertisement on the back cover of Simplicity Pattern Book, Fall-Winter 1950.

I have a Canadian copy of Simplicity 3322 in the shop, printed with a special Chatelaine magazine logo:

1950s Sally Victor hat and bag pattern, Simplicity 3322
Simplicity 3322 by Sally Victor (1950) Image: PatternVault shop.

For more on Sally Victor see my Mad Men-era millinery post.

6 thoughts on “Richard Avedon and Sally Victor: Simplicity Pattern Book, 1950

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