Tag: vintage

1960s, 2000s, Current trends, Events

Inauguration Sewing

by Sarah Sheehan3 Comments on Inauguration Sewing
President Kennedy with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy at his inauguration in January, 1961
President Kennedy with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy at his inauguration in January, 1961. Image: Leonard McCombe / The LIFE Picture Collection / Getty.

President Joe Biden will reportedly be wearing Ralph Lauren to his inauguration. The fashion choices of the ceremony’s female attendees are shrouded in secrecy, but you can be sure the pattern companies are paying close attention.

Sixty years ago, Jacqueline Kennedy made Inauguration-Day history in Oleg Cassini and a Halston pillbox hat. Cassini may not have licensed any coat patterns, but dressmakers could soon make their own cloth hats with Vogue’s Halston patterns.

Vogue 6606 by Halston of Bergdorf Goodman (1965) Image: Etsy.

In 1965, Second Lady Muriel Humphrey Brown wore Balmain, made from a Vogue pattern. “For the inauguration itself, Mrs. Humphrey made her own dress of pale blue angora and wool broadcloth from a Vogue Paris original pattern by Balmain… The dress is semi-fitted, with simulated slot seaming along the bodice and down the front of the skirt, giving an empire line.” (“Mrs. Humphrey Sews Dress: Inauguration Gowns Will Be Red, White, Blue,” AP / Globe and Mail, January 18, 1965.) Her dress was probably this Vogue Paris Original:

Jean Shrimpton in a Balmain dress - Vogue Paris Original pattern no. 1327
Vogue 1327 by Balmain (1964) Model: Jean Shrimpton. Image: Etsy.

In 2009, Michelle Obama wore custom Isabel Toledo. A Butterick pattern soon followed:

Butterick 5396 after Isabel Toledo (2009) Image: Etsy.

In 2017, the publication of this Ralph Lauren-inspired inauguration ensemble caused some controversy:

V9266 (V1736) after Ralph Lauren on the cover of the Vogue Patterns Fall 2017 lookbook
V9266 after Ralph Lauren on the cover of the Vogue Patterns Fall 2017 lookbook. Model: Caroline Mathis. Image: Issuu.

Any guesses which designer labels Dr. Jill Biden and Kamala Harris might wear on Inauguration Day?

Update: Dr. Jill Biden chose NYC label Markarian, while Kamala Harris opted for Christopher John Rogers.

Douglas Emhoff, Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, and Joseph R. Biden at U.S. Capitol Inauguration Ceremony
Douglas Emhoff, Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, and Joseph R. Biden at U.S. Capitol Inauguration Ceremony. Image: Vogue / Getty Images.
1990s

Patterns in Vogue: Stella Tennant by Steven Meisel

by Sarah SheehanLeave a Comment on Patterns in Vogue: Stella Tennant by Steven Meisel
Vogue 9345 trench pattern in Vogue, May 1996
Stella Tennant in “Spare Change,” Vogue, May 1996. Photo: Steven Meisel. Editor: Camilla Nickerson. Image: Vogue Archive.

Stella Tennant turns 50 today. In a Bauhaus-inspired, mid-’90s editorial, the British supermodel wears a minimalist trench coat made from a Vogue pattern.

Tennant’s trench is view C of Vogue 9345, made up in cotton twill from B&J Fabrics and, as always, “edited by Vogue.”

1990s Misses' / Misses' Petite coat pattern Vogue 9345
Vogue 9345 (1995) Image: Etsy.

Happy 50th, Ms. Tennant!

Stella Tennant in an Alexander McQueen blanket coat by Sarah Burton, AW 2018
Stella Tennant in Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton, Fall 2018. Image: Vogue Runway.