The revolutionary style of the postwar era

The era of the forties of the XX century appeared clearly divided into two halves of the Second World War: the first half of the decade was marked by the hardships and privations of the war years, but the second was marked by a real revolution in fashion - almost more important than the revolution, once produced by the legendary Coco Chanel.

This is the famous collection of New Look, represented by the French couturier Christian Dior, and to this day remains not only a symbol of the postwar era of new hope, but also a role model to which regularly turn many of today's designers.

Fashion World War II

Of course, during the Second World War, women could not afford to spend a fortune on fancy clothes - for several reasons. First, fierce savings on everything which had to adhere to all drawn into the hostilities of the country affected the daily lives of women - a system of coupons, introduced in several countries in Europe and the US, it is strictly limited to the purchase of not only clothes, but even food. Moreover, in order to save materials and fittings in the early forties, in the midst of World War II, the United States and Great Britain were introduced special laws restricting freedom of creative designers - now they were instructed to produce extremely practical models and save on tissues.

There is nothing surprising in the fact that just a few years, the most common clothing not only military, but also civil society has become a military uniform - it can be seen not only on men but also on women. Strict military women wore costumes, even going to the theater or restaurant, emphasizing their belonging to the army and the willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of victory.

June 1, 1941 in the United Kingdom has introduced a system of coupons, tapping and clothing. A similar system a little later, in 1942, began to operate in the United States. The UK authorities, aiming at making economical use of materials, a ban on the use of "extra" decorations clothing, buttons, pockets and even the thread! British designers had to act strictly within the framework of the military economy, but even in this difficult era for the fashion industry found talents who are able to meet the needs of women in stylish clothes Stylish clothes: ten rules of style . As a result, it came to light a special "military" collection, which includes 34 items of women's clothing - naiekonomichneyshih in terms of production and later formally approved by the Ministry of Commerce of Great Britain.

Clothing, presented by British designers followed the general trend of minimalism, due to the military hardship: his shoulders were strict, square, skirts - short, the use of tissue - the minimum. Creating such clothing designers to save on everything - and even buttons, the number of which has been reduced to just three. Deprived of women's suits and dresses and cuffs.

New Era and New Look

February 12, 1947 was a remarkable day for the world of fashion: Christian Dior presented his first collection of women's wear spring-summer 1947 Christian Dior salon on Avenue Montaigne. Interestingly, initially represented by two lines of Dior were called «Corolla» and «Eight», and under the name «New Look» went down in history thanks to headed in the time Harper's Bazaar Carmel Snow. Label and clearly described the collection as "a new way of" Snow, thereby became the "godmother" of the legendary New Look.

New images proposed by Christian Dior, strikingly different from the strict minimalism of the war years: a lush, long skirts, accentuated breasts, small waist - the classic silhouette of the "hourglass", brought to an elegant peak.

Of course, this extravagant and totally unreasonable, by most accounts, the expenditure of tissue Christian Dior led to this scandal - the US and UK authorities have criticized impractical creations Dior. However, criticism has not stopped many fans New Look: very soon in an elegant dress from the collection of Dior began to appear even royals. Popularity New Look marked the end of an era of military economy - after the Dior new trend began to follow other European designers.

Tatiana Smirnova