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Tag: Vintage Images 1950s

Vintage Photos of Fashion Window Displays of the 1940s & 1950s

1940's department store mannequins

Window Displays are not a new invention they have been around since the 1800s, encouraging people to enter ones stores to browse and buy.

Today’s ‘Vintage Photo Tuesday‘ is going to showcase some of those fun Fashion Window Displays from the 1940s and 1950s. A super way to see what was being sold in stores.

Let the Window Shopping Begin!

Fashion Window Displays of the 1940’s & 1950’s

The Vintage Photos

1940s Women’s Suit & Dress, Bonwit-Teller window display, New York, 1940s.

1940s vintage photo: 1940s Women's Suit & Dress, Bonwit-Teller window display, New York, 1940s.

Source: Tumblr

One more Bonwit Teller Window, 1947. Two different dress versions of the same fabric (I like the right).

Bonwit Teller display windows, 1947  [Solomon R Guggenheim Museum Archives]. 1940s vintage photo showcasing 1940s women's fashions.

Source: Tumblr

New Garters & Suspenders Styled by Paris-A. Stein & Co Ltd. Men’s fashion window display (1930s or 1940s).

1930s 1940s Vintage Photo of a A Stein & Co Ltd Window Display. The vintage photo is showcasing men's fashions, New Garters & Suspenders.

Source: Collections Canada

Storefront at Norrmalmstorg in Stockholm 1957 showcasing women’s 1950s dresses.

1950s vintage photo of a Storefront at Norrmalmstorg in Stockholm 1957 Vintage Window Display showcasing women's 1950s dresses.

Source: Flickr

Fans of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will recognize the department store name for the next 2 photos…1940s B. Altman Shop Window- 1940s dresses for a night out.

1940s B. Altman Shop Window Mannequins vintage 1940s photo showcasing women's 1940s evening dresses.

“It’s new….It’s Ballet Inspired….It’s for College. B. Altmans College Shop believes in the Ballerina Influence”. 1940s window display featuring a pretty 1940s dress.

1940s vintage photo of a B. Altman Shop Window Display 1940s College Fashion Vintage Photo featuring a pretty 1940s dress.

Toronto Simpson Department Store-The St. Regis Room -High fashion window display, late 1950s featuring women’s eveningwear.

1950s vintage photo of a window display - Toronto Simpson Department Store-The St. Regis Room -High fashion window display, late 1950s featuring women's eveningwear.

Source: Chuckman Photos

1945, New York City. Women’s Jackets for wandering the city with friends.

1940s vintage photo of a store window in New York City 1945 showcasing women's jackets. 1940s fashions.

1950s Palm Beach suits for men at Selfridges Department Store.

1950s Mens Suit Fashion- Palm Beach Style from Selfridges department Store - 1950s Vintage Photo

Source: The Asian Fashion Journal

1958 Photo featuring glamorous dresses for women, window display.

1950s vintage photo of a 1958 Womens Fashion Window Display Vintage Photo featuring women's 1950s evening gowns.

Source: Tumblr

“Love That Pink”-Revlon Window display featuring a pretty 1950s Dress (Price at $60).

1950s vintage photo of a Revlon window display featuring a 1950s dress.

Did you find something fun friends? I really love the 1940s Gown from B. Altman. So very pretty.

Question Time: Are you a Window Shopper? Do you have a favourite store that always has the best displays? Share in the comments below.

FURTHER READING:

Liz

Step Back in Time with The Canadian National Exhibition

I have written about the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) a couple times on my blog, because it truly is one of my most favorite summer events. The CNE is an annual event at the end of summer held in Toronto and with approximately 1.3 million visitors each year, the exhibition is Canada’s largest annual fair and the seventh largest in North America.

CNE Souvenir Catalogue & Programme Cover, 1955

Source: CNE Heritage

Online, the CNE Heritage has an amazing collection of images & advertisements from its archives and for today’s post I wanted to pull some of my favorites from their collection (1920’s-50’s) and share them with you. Lets begin!

CNE-Vintage Images & Advertisements

Simpson’s Ad In CNE Programme, 1928. The illustration features an amazing Art Deco style 1920s evening gown.

Simpson's Ad In CNE Programme, 1928. The illustration features an amazing Art Deco style 1920s evening gown.
Source: CNE Heritage

CNE Programme Cover, 1931

CNE Programme Cover, 1931 featuring an illustration of a couple in 1930s fashions looking at the program.
Source: CNE Heritage

Suede Shoe Ad in a 1935 CNE Fashion Show Programme. In my personal collection, I have this exact show program.

1930s vintage ad: Suede Shoe Ad in a 1935 CNE Fashion Show Programme. The Ad features a woman in 1930s dress and coat & hat and an illustration of 1930s shoes.
Source: CNE Heritage

CNE Bandshell & Manufacturers Building, 1948.

1940s vintage photo of the Toronto CNE Bandshell & Manufacturers Building, 1948.
Source: CNE Heritage

CNE Guests in 1927. Super 1920s fashions in this crowd photo.

1920s vintage photo: CNE Guests in 1927. Super 1920s fashions in this crowd photo.
Source: CNE Heritage

This poster celebrates the opening of the new Ontario Government Building (now Liberty Grand) in 1926.

1926 Vintage CNE Poster -This poster celebrates the opening of the new Ontario Government Building (now Liberty Grand) in 1926.
Source: CNE Heritage

Hollywood Chimp Show, 1937.

1930s vintage photo of the Hollywood Chimp Show, 1937 at the Toronto CNE aka the Canadian national exhibition
Source: CNE Heritage

1939 CNE Poster-Transportation and Communications Year.

1939 CNE Poster-Transportation and Communications Year. The poster features a family in 1930s fashions in colour.
Source: CNE Hertiage

Auto Show, 1936. Fantastic 1930s cars on display!

1930s vintage photo of the Toronto CNE Auto Show, 1936. Fantastic 1930s cars on display!
Source: CNE Heritage

RCA Victor Display, 1940.

Further Reading: Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) From The 1920s-1960s

1940s vintage photo of a RCA Victor Display at the Toronto CNE.
Source: CNE Heritage

1940s photo of 3 young women and 1 man posing in a car for the “Safety Quiz’ of 1948. I think the first part of the quiz should be, “You should always keep your eyes on the road, Yes or No?” Fantastic 1940s hairstyles on our lovely ladies.

1940s photo of 3 young women and 1 man posing in a car for the "Safety Quiz' of 1948. Fantastic 1940s hairstyles on our lovely ladies.
Source: CNE Heritage

Canadian Women at War! 1942 CNE Poster.

1940s Canadian Women at War CNE Program from 1942 showcasing all the ways that Canadian Women are helping the war effort.
Source: CNE Heritage

1940s College Student Fashions of the Day on display in this 1940 photo. I love a good plaid pattern!

1940s College Student Fashions of the Day on display in this 1940 photo. I love a good plaid pattern!
Source: CNE Heritage

Miss Toronto Contest, 1951. Read all about Miss Toronto HERE.

1950s vintage image of women in 1950s bathing suits posing for the Miss Toronto Pageant.
Source: CNE Heritage

Swimming Sensation, Marilyn Bell in 1954 with Roy Rogers & Dale Evans.

From CNE Heritage:

In 1954, a 16-year old high school student named Marilyn Bell became a sensation when she became the first person to swim across Lake Ontario.

She became an instant celebrity, beloved by fans across Canada.

It all began on September 8th, when three swimmers began a 32 kilometre race from Youngstown, New York to the CNE grounds.

American marathon swimmer Florence Chadwick was the favourite, followed by Canadian swimmer Winnie Roach Leuszler; Marilyn was the underdog.

It became clear early in the race that she was a contender, remaining in the water after her competitors dropped out.

Newspapers covered her every stroke through the cold waves of Lake Ontario. After 21 hours, Marilyn made it ashore to the acclaim of the nation.

The following year, Marilyn was the star of the CNE’s “Canadiana” Grandstand show, sharing the stage with American television host Ed Sullivan.

The highlight of the show was Marilyn diving into a specially designed tank of water on stage.

1950s vintage photo of Marilyn Bell with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans at the Toronto CNE
Source: CNE Heritage

Pez Anyone? 1954 vintage photo of the Pez booth at the CNE.

vintage image of a young girl eating pez at the CNE 1954. Pez Anyone? 1954 vintage photo of the Pez booth at the CNE.
Source: CNE Heritage

Defying Gravity in the Rotor! 1953 vintage photo of a carnival ride at the CNE.

Defying Gravity in the Rotor! 1953 vintage photo of a carnival ride at the CNE.
Source: CNE Heritage

Jimmy Durante and young women in 1951 pose together in 1950s swimsuits and summer outfits.

Jimmy Durante and young women in 1951 pose together in 1950s swimsuits and summer outfits.
Source: CNE Heritage

Derby Race, 1950. A fun vintage image of a carnival horse ride at the CNE.

CNE vintage derby race ride 1950 vintage image
Source: CNE Heritage

Even TV’s Lassie made an appearance in 1955.

1950s vintage photo of TV's Lassie With CNE Visitors, 1955.
Source: CNE Heritage

Kitchen World CNE Booth with Marie Fraser in 1955.

Kitchen World With Marie Fraser, 1955 vintage image at CNE
Source: CNE Heritage

And that is it for today’s post friends, I really hope you enjoyed this walk down some of the CNE’s past.

Question Time: Do you have a big fair or exhibition that you like to attend every year? Share in the comments below!

FURTHER READING: A collection of past CNE posts I have done & a link to my Vintage Toronto Archive….

Liz