A very long time ago in a far away galaxy I found a HUGE instore catalogue (you know the kind!) for Vogue Patterns. Dated January 1971, it is full of breathtaking illustrations and photos of gorgeous outfits by the likes of Oscar De La Renta, Pierre Balmain, Nina Ricci, Valentino, Pucci, Lanvin, Dior, Molyneux, Ungaro, Givenchy and even more superstars of Couture.
It’s quite amazing that you could (can!) knock up your own Givenchy gown, if you were clever enough. You could even ask for your own designer label at the pattern counter, so you could stitch it into your Paris original garment. Even if said garment was made in Wonthaggi. Or Wichita. Or some other non Parisian place.
I love the whole designer DIY thing. So great. A very early example of licensed product, methinks. And it kind of flies in the face of the whole copying/knock-off thing, doesn’t it? I guess there were no knock-offs back then? Perhaps? Ah. Such innocent times.
xx Pip