As vintage fashion enthusiasts, it’s always a joy to learn about the designers who made your favourite pieces a reality (and to see more of those designs). For today’s post, we will dive into the world of one such designer who has left an indelible mark on the fashion industry: Fred Perlberg.

Fred Perlberg was well known for his beautiful party dresses and I’m excited to showcase the vintage ads & real life dress examples of his stunning designs.

Let’s begin!

1950s Fred Perlberg Dress with a tulip / petal bust and a full skirt. Stunning 1950s Fashion inspiration.

Source: Reddit

Further Reading: This post is a series I have done on Vintage Fashion Designers / Brands that I have wanted to showcase not only for my readers but also for myself! Take a read after your done.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Fred Perlberg-Dance Originals Designs

About:

Fred Perlberg (1901-1991) began working in the New York fashion industry when he was sixteen. Three years later, at the age of nineteen, he started his own company (around 1920). Fred Perlberg Originals were mid-priced party and dance dresses and were marketed across the United States and Canada. Fred Perlberg retired in 1968, but the company continued with Roger Milot as the designer (Source-Vintage Fashion Guild).

1940s vintage clothing label for Fred Perlberg Dresses — 1940s Clothing Label

Vintage Inn Blog Note: I was unable to find any of his designs before the 1950s (a little bit in the 1940s) anywhere on the web. If any of my readers can shed light on this designer for the missing time periods that would be fantastic! Comment below.

Vintage Fashion Advertising

November 1940 advertisement: “Mountie Red”. Young Hollywood Fashions sponsored by Fred Perlberg, Inc.

1940s evening gowns inspired by the dramatic colors in Cecil B. DeMille, “North West Mounted Police” with Gary Cooper & Paulette Goddard.

1940s vintage advertisement / 1940s Fashions: 1940s evening gowns inspired by the dramatic colors in Cecil B. DeMille, "North West Mounted Police" with Gary Cooper & Paulette Goddard. Dresses by Fashion Designer-Fred Perlberg

“Holiday red…deep, glistening black-more festive this season because of Chromspun”.

In this 1950s ad, the Fred Perlberg designs highlight the Chromspun taffeta in the two gowns. A petal-skirted, matching sequin trim dress & a floor-length, with dramatic back black evening gown.

Chromspun (acetate fiber with the color locked in) is a trademarked product of the Eastman Chemical Company.

1950s fashion ad for Fred Perlberg evening gowns. One 1950s full skirt dress is in red, the other is a stunning black floor length evening gown.

Source: Pinterest

“Here comes the Bride”….This is an original 1956 color print ad for a princess-line wedding dress designed by Miss Lillian of Miriam Modes. Also featured is a long-bodiced bridesmaid dress of Chromspun taffeta with floating back panels, designed by Josephine of Fred Perlberg.

Further Reading – Vintage Photos: The 1950’s Bride

1950s Vintage Ad: This is an original 1956 color print ad for a princess-line wedding dress of Skinner's peau de faille with a deep box-pleated dust ruffle and a crescent inset of sequin-spattered re-embroidered Alencon lace, designed by Miss Lillian of Miriam Modes. Also featured is a long-bodiced bridesmaid dress of Chromspun taffeta with floating back panels, designed by Josephine of Fred Perlberg. Fantastic Vintage Wedding Inspiration!

Source: Period Paper

1950s vintage fashion ad featuring stunning full skirt gowns.

1950s vintage fashion advertisement for Fred Perlberg Dance originals featuring 1950s Circle skirt dresses. Fantastic 1950s fashions!

Source: Etsy-VintageVortex

1950s fashion ad featuring fashion illustrations of Fred Perlberg dresses for weddings, garden and even Halloween parties.

1950s vintage advertisement for Fred Perlberg dresses featuring an illustration of 1950s evening dresses. Fantastic 1950s fashion inspiration.

Source: Etsy-VintageVortex

“Dateline: Holiday Time U.S.A.” featuring pretty nylon tulle evening gowns in full length and waltz length.

1950s vintage ad for women's 1950s evening gowns by Fred Perlberg Dance Originals.

Source: Facebook

1stDibs has the actual dress in the ad above for sale on their website at the time of this blog post. I will share it below so that you can see the stunning details the advertisement just cannot show.

Description: 1950s Fred Perlberg white and Robin’s egg blue rhinestone encrusted strapless gown. Boned bodice. Hundreds of rhinestones really make this dress sparkle. Features layers of white tulle with blue silk satin around the waist (Source).

1950s Fashion: 1950s Fred Perlberg white and Robin’s egg blue rhinestone encrusted strapless gown ! Boned bodice. Hundreds of rhinestones really make this dress sparkle. Features layers of white tulle with blue silk satin around the waist

Real Life Examples of Fred Perlberg Dresses

(avail at time of posting)

Vintage Shopping: I have created a ‘Fred Perlberg Dresses’ Etsy Collection that is updated monthly. Happy Shopping!

(NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites).

The first Fred Perlberg 1950s dress reminds me of the dresses featured in the last advertisement above. A 1950s Prom Dress / Evening Gown in Taffeta (this one is dusty pink & sky blue (which can be seen in certain light) and tiered netting with a bodice that is boned and gathered. STUNNING!

Further Reading: Prom in the 1940s and 1950s

1950s Fashion: Fred Perlberg 1950s Prom Dress / Evening Gown in Taffeta (this one is dusty pink & sky blue (which can be seen in certain light) and tiered netting with a bodice that is boned and gathered.

Source: Etsy-SadieVain

1950s party dress with matching shawl. The fabric is textured and embossed. It is a strapless style with a heavily boned bodice and a nipped waist. The waist is pleated and the shelf bodice is sheer ivory fabric with a lace trim.

Fashion Note: I’m really starting to notice that Fred really liked dramatic bodices. Pleating, gathers, petal style designs. This will make it easy for all of you when you are out in the world to instantly recognize his designs.

1950s Fashion: A 1950s Fred Perlberg Dance Originals party dress with matching shawl. Fred Perlberg was well known for his party dresses and this is a beautiful example. The fabric is textured and embossed. It is a strapless style with a heavily boned bodice and a nipped waist. The waist is pleated and the bodice is sheer ivory fabric with a lace trim. There is a built in crinoline to give the dress structure but I have also shown it with an extra crinoline. The dress has a metal side zipper with a hook and eye. The shawl has tasseled ends.

Source: eBay

1940s lime green Fred Perlberg dress with beautiful buttons down the front and a sheer ribbon bust.

The ebay listing says it’s a 1950s dress but it reminds me of the dress in the 1940s ad featured further up in this post. Happy to be corrected if I am wrong.

Source: eBay

“Holiday Red” like in another vintage ad featured above. Stunning 1950s Evening Gown with a full skirt and lovely pleated details. Beautiful.

1950s Fashion: A 1950s Fred Perlberg Evening Gown-The dress is a gorgeous red color with spaghetti straps and a pleats off the shoulder sleeves/bertha collar that has a sweet little bow at the center. The bodice is fitted and it has a basque waistline. There are pleated swags on the sides and the skirt is wonderfully full. The dress is ballerina/ankle length and is unlined.

Source: Etsy- WoldsVintage

1950s dress with a fitted bustier boned bodice and a super full circle skirt with fantastic orange swirls on the fabric. A wonderful summer dress!

I am IN LOVE with this dress, but sadly I would not fit in it. But someone should buy it and then show it off to the world!

1950s fashion: a 1950s sundress, strapless by Fred Perlberg featuring orange swirls on the fabric and a full circle skirt.

Source: Etsy-VINTAGEVAVAVOOMZ

1940s dark mauve moire taffeta dress. The dress is unique, featuring side bustles with faux flower bouquet (closeup photo below) and rhinestone embellishments. The dress also has matching, open arm band gloves.

1940s Fashion: A Fred Perlberg 1940s dark mauve moire taffeta dress. The dress is unique, featuring side bustles with faux flower bouquet and rhinestone embellishments. The dress also has matching, open arm band gloves.

Source: eBay

1950s or 1960s emerald green satin fabric with a fitted bodice and full skirt, Fred Perlberg dress. Bodice is completely boned for support and ends in petal-like points of fabric at bust.

Source: Etsy-NostalgiaVintage2

1940s Fred Perlberg silk taffeta evening dress. Once again the cap sleeves and bust area is what stands out in the design of this dress.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Fred Perlberg silk taffeta evening dress with cute sleeves.

Source: Etsy-OffBroadwayVintage

Looking for a “Little Black Dress”? This 1960s Fred Perlberg dress with decorative buttons would be perfect.

1960s Fashion: A Fred Perlberg 1960s dress. Black dress with decorative buttons down the front. Perfect "Little black dress".

Source: eBay

1950s elegant ivory silk chiffon halter gown with large flowers on the fabric. What a statement dress!

1950s Fashion: A 1950s Fred Perlberg elegant ivory silk chiffon halter gown with large flowers on the fabric.

Source: Etsy-GlennasVintageShop

Question Time: Have you heard of this fashion Designer? Do you own a Fred Perlberg piece? What dress did you love above? Share any thoughts about this post in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

Vintage Fashion Designers (Archived blog posts)
Vintage Fashion 1920s-1960s (Archived posts)

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

From flapper girls to pin-up dolls, vintage makeup ads not only sold cosmetics but also sold a lifestyle.

Join me as we dive into the captivating world of vintage beauty as seen in these iconic advertisements from the 1920s-1950s.

1950s vintage advertisement for Maybelline makeup-Before and after as seen on a 1950s woman.

(Note: These ads are also perfect vintage beauty / hair & fashion inspiration for when you are looking to recreate an authentic look from your era of choice.)

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

Vintage Makeup Advertisements 1920s-1950s

“Try Maybelline Eye Shadow”. 1920s makeup ad featuring an fantastic example of dark eyeshadow on our 1920s lady.

1920s makeup ad for Maybelline eyeshadow featuring an illustration of a 1920s woman with dark eyeshadow. Fantastic 1920s makeup ideas

Source: Pinterest

A 1920s flapper applies her mascara in this vintage advertisement from Maybelline.

1920s vintage makeup advertisement for mascara from Maybelline featuring a 1920s flapper

Source: Pinterest

“Touches of Loveliness by Vivaudou” -1920s advertisement for talcum, face powder, lipstick & rouge.

1920s vintage makeup advertisement for Vivaudou cosmetics featuring an art deco illustration of beauty products

Source: eBay

“It’s THIS NEW MAKE-UP that is Hollywood’s Secret of Attraction”. 1930s Max Factor ad featuring four 1930s movie stars showing off the makeup.

Vintage 1930s Max Factor Cosmetics Print Ad featuring classic Hollywood movie stars promoting their makeup.

Source: eBay

“Artists and Models say…Choose your makeup by the color of your eyes”. Marvelous The Eye-Matched Makeup by Richard Hudnut. 1930s advertisement.

The Eye-Matched Makeup by Richard Hudnut - 1930s vintage magazine ad / 1930s vintage makeup ad.

Source: eBay

1937 Avon Cosmetics advertisement…”Gifts you friends will love”.

Fun Liz fact: I sold Avon in the 90s but I did a horrible job and I only bought them which made me no money. Ha!

1937 AVON COSMETICS advertisement. Fun 1930s makeup ad.

Source: eBay

1939 Pond’s Ad: “Now Fashion Says: “Be Feminine”. Pond’s answers with 4 soft Summer Shades of powders”

1930s vintage makeup ad: Pond's Ad: Four New Summer Shades of Pond's Powder ! from 1939 featuring a young woman in a late 1930s evening gown with a young man and then at the beach in a late 1930s bathingsuit.

Source: eBay

“Matched spring make-up….Dorothy Gray Portrait Make-Up Set”.

I love the 1940s hairstyle on the illustrated woman showing off the lipstick, face powder & rouge.

Source: Pinterest

“Soprano over the Atlantic”- A 1944 DuBarry advertisement.

During WW2 when the Women went to work on the Homefront or abroad, maintaining a beautiful look was considered mandatory. This started with red lipstick.

“Miss Damant is doing a man’s job for the duration (air traffic control). But she’s keeping pretty and womanly as ever with DuBarry Beauty Preparations”. “She is shown here wearing “Rose Cerise”, that exciting DuBarry Lipstick keyed to Spring’s new costume colors”.

Further Reading: World War 2 Women’s Contributions & Homefront Posts

1940s vintage makeup advertisement / 1940s vintage ad featuring a woman during WW2 working as an Air Traffic Controller while wearing makeup by DuBarry.

Source: eBay

1940s vintage ad: Pond’s face powder and lipstick.

Another cute 1940s vintage hairstyle example as well.

1940s vintage advertisement for lipstick and face powder from ponds featuring an illustration of a 1940s woman with a 1940s hairstyle

“Revlon’s Fashion Plate Cream Wafer”. 1948 make-up ad featuring a very fashionable model in the style of the “Dior New Look“.

1948 Revlon Make-Up Vintage Ad for cream foundation you just use your fingers to apply. The image features a woman in late 1940s dress and hairstyle. Very much the "Dior New Look".

Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

“2 make you twice as lovely”. “Make-up Cake + Powder..Shade-Matched…Both in one box. New Jergens Twin Make-up”. 1940s magazine advertisement.

1940’s Jergens Twin Cake Makeup Cosmetic Beauty Magazine Ad

Source: eBay

1950s makeup advertisement for ‘Madam Walker Cosmetics’ featuring makeup for darker skins tones.

INTERESTING FACT: Madam C.J. Walker looms large among Black pioneers. She was a sharp businesswoman in the late 1800s and early 1900s, becoming the country’s first self-made female millionaire after turning her beauty / hair-care company into an empire—employing up to 20,000 sales agents and opening an eponymous manufacturing company in Indianapolis in 1910 (source).

1950s vintage makeup ad for women with darker skin tones featuring a Black model with her makeup from Madam Walker Cosmetics.

Source: vintagehairstyling.com

1950’s Solitair “Moisture Miracle Make-up” contest ad. “Your vote will help choose Campana’s College Beauty Queen”. The winner will then go on a 10 day trip to the luxurious Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Hawaii. WOW!

What Beauty Queen would you have voted for?

1950's Solitair "Moisture Miracle Make-up" contest ad. "Your vote will help choose Campana's College Beauty Queen". 1950s vintage makeup advertisement

Source: eBay

1954 Angel Face by Pond’s. “Today’s #1 make-up-in two glorious Summer shades!”

I was drawn to the fun polka-dots in this ad and just had to add it.

1950s Makeup Ad / 1950s vintage advertisement for Angel Face by Ponds-Face Powder.

Source: Etsy-PlentifulPages

If you needed a little extra money you could always sell the makeup you wear, as seen in this Lucky Heart cosmetics 1950s (possibly early 1960s) advertisement.

“Lucky Heart “Color-Keyed” Cosmetics can bring you $65 to $250 extra, regularly!”

Further Reading: The Vintage Advertisements for “Work from Home!” Jobs

Source: vintagehairstyling.com

Do you need help with your vintage makeup look? Then look no further then the following tutorials booklets you can buy right now (note: they are in PDF format, so you can start working on your makeup right away)!

“1940 The New Art of Make-Up” booklet. Inside includes instructions from Max Factor on applying makeup which is demonstrated by some of the popular actresses of the time such as Ida Lupino and Eleanor Powell.

1940s Vintage Makeup Instructions: "1940 The New Art of Make-Up" booklet. Inside includes instructions from Max Factor on applying makeup which is demonstrated by some of the popular actresses of the time such as Ida Lupino and Eleanor Powell. Fantastic vintage 1940s hairstyles on the cover.

Source: Etsy-livydarling

“Glamorize Yourself the Hollywood Yay..Make-up-and LIVE!” 1953 beauty tip booklet that includes guidance on skincare and make-up as well as some information on nailcare and haircare.

1950s Vintage Makeup: "Glamorize Yourself the Hollywood Yay..Make-up-and LIVE!" 1953 beauty tip booklet.

Source: Etsy-livydarling

What a fun post to put together! And so many advertisements, I might have to break this post down in the future into various categories (like just lipstick or hair products).

Please share in the comments section below what you favourite ad was, or any fun stories / memories you might have around this topic. I love hearing from my readers!

Further Reading: Vintage Advertising 1920s-1960s (archived posts)

Thank you for dropping by!

Liz

Tag: vintage advertising

Vintage Fashion Designer Spotlight: Fred Perlberg Dance Originals

Fred Perlberg-Dance Originals Designs

About:

Vintage Fashion Advertising

Real Life Examples of Fred Perlberg Dresses

Vintage Makeup Advertisements

Vintage Makeup Advertisements 1920s-1950s