PatternVault

A Vogue pattern editorial from Spring, 1949 captures not only postwar fashion, but also a work by Italian-American artist Costantino Nivola.

Clifford Coffin photographed two Vogue designs with Nivola’s murals at the House of Italian Handicrafts in New York City. Designed by Gustavo Pulitzer, the House of Italian Handicrafts opened in April, 1947 at 217 East 49th Street (near Amster Yard), operating for two years as a gallery and showroom for Italian design. (Source: Transatlantic Transfers)

Vogue’s original heading was “Necktie Materials,” and both patterns are shown made up in firm fabrics — or as Vogue put it, “two fashions to make, have made, in new self-supporting fabrics, crisp, fresh surahs, silk reps.” Above, Jean Patchett wears a Vogue Special Design suit, Vogue S-4969, made in navy and white rayon surah with velvet contrast and Cover-Zip slide fastener. Below, the “late-day” dress is Vogue 494, a Vogue Couturier design, shown in pale mauve silk rep.