Rene Gruau Illustrations Featuring Millinery

Rene Gruau was one of the finest fashion illustrators of the 20th century. Working a lot with Christian Dior, his illustrations are often associated with the New Look. Below are some great mid-century illustrations of his featuring hats.

Hats of Elsa Schiaparelli

Elsa Schiaparelli is one of my all time favorite fashion designers. I am blown away by the level of detail in her work and the sheer originality. Her surrealist fashion collaborations with Salvador Dali are legendary. In May, I drove into New York to see the exhibit of her designs in person at the Met. It was worth the trip to see the buttons she uses up close, alone. I love imagining the bold woman between the wars who wore a bug necklace or a shoe hat.

Her couture house was a Paris staple for 20 years, but closed it's doors in 1954 after being unable to adapt to changes in the fashion industry after the war. Last month it reopened at Place Vendôme in Paris and they are launching their first line in over half a century next February.

In honor of this renewed public interest in this cherished iconoclast, I wanted to share some images of her incredible millinery work.

Retro Disneyland

I love looking at old Life Magazine photos. It gives you more of a feel for American life half a century ago than fine art photos you see in museums.

Disneyland is one of my favorite places on Earth and this collection really shows how things have changed, and some things not so much.

The castle looks the same, girls in dresses that aren't princess costumes - nope

The ride entrances in the background are much less colorful now.

Fewer crew cuts

Exactly the same

No self-respecting person without children would ride this ride

These would be Indiana Jones hats now

I wish

Conclusion: People dressed better, but had to miss out on the best rides. No Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion for a decade to come.

Aerial view from the Matterhorn, where's the fun stuff?