tearsheets – Harper’s Bazaar May 1966
It is another edition of tearsheets, where I take selections from an old magazine I’ve come across. This is another Harper’s Bazaar. I have not intentionally chosen four Bazaars in a row, but it does happen to be interesting to compare one publication at different times.
Here it is, Harper’s Bazaar May 1966. Cover cost: 75 cents. Editor-in-Chief: Nancy White. On the cover: unnamed model in Irene Galatzine.
All of the ad pages are clustered at the front in between bits of news and fluff. And the ads feature so much variety of gorgeous fashion illustration, it is hard to pick just a few images.
Kenneth Paul Block for Bonwit Teller.
Unnamed artist for Elizabeth Arden. The ads also feature extravagant copy.
Besides such gorgeousness, there is also a remarkable number of ads for unusual things we no longer see ads for in fashion magazines: a directory of camps and private schools, a “trikini” bikini which has two pasties instead of a bra top, and ad after ad for the absolute rage at the time – wigs.
One clever accessory designer and illustrator take the trend for false hair to fanciful extremes.
Super-Fashion plays with graphic details, spaced out accessories, saturated primary colours, short hair and lunging poses against that old gray backdrop.
The contrast of the youth trend against the more grown-up looks in the same issue is startling, something that the Duchess of Windsor discusses in an interview. Right click the article for big. (Unfortunately, the second half of this interview has been torn out of this issue.)
I find the Duchess and Duke of Windsor to be such fascinating fashion characters, ever since I read the profile of her in The Way She Looks Tonight: Five Women of Style.
One Minute from Now is another black and white editorial – most of the editorial in this magazine is in black and white – not always to great advantage, for instance the story shot on location in Columbia looks awfully dull without colour. But the studio shoots can be quite stunning in their simplicity.
Another example of quite captivating minimalism in The Sea Sirens.
9 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
























Love that black and white dress!
Being a beautiful woman is a profound responsibility …. Love, Love that!! And the last shot is quietly stunning!!
I didn’t know that I wanted a square hoodie until now.
I really like your tearsheet post – it’s very interesting. I find the wig thing …unusual at best.
I’ve said if before and I’ll say it again: This magazine is a mere shadow of its former self.
Thanks for posting this!
Great post. The fashion still appeals, and is so relevant. Can’t say that of the ads and editorial.. hmm my bias maybe.
I am drooling all over your tearsheets……. wow! Especially that Elizabeth Arden ad illo (=awesome)
[...] tearsheets – Harper’s Bazaar May 1966 [...]
The Bonwit teller illustration is my favorite. Mixing illustration and handwriting is great.