Gilbert Adrian: 1950's Suits by California Designer

This 1950's newspaper advertisement for suits is a great showcase for fashion designer Gilbert Adrian.  This regional ad appeared in 1951 while he was at the very height of his career as a fashion designer with a salon that catered to Hollywood's young and fabulous. The fashion illustration is drawn to capture all of the style details that Adrian was famous for, in a layout that uses two suits in different scale, thus calling attention to the larger image. As was common at the time, the artist is not credited.

Gilbert Adrian, American Fashion Designer: 1947 Suit Jacket, Part 2

This black wool jacket by the California designer Gilbert Adrian represents a significant contribution to twentieth century fashion design. By all of its details, along with the silhouette, this design is a classic Adrian piece. The wide shoulders still reflect the Joan Crawford styling that Adrian would ‘invent’ for her movie characters in the early 1930's, long before Paris showed the wedge silhouette.

Glibert Adrain, American Fashion Designer: 1947 Suit, Part 1

Looking closely at a 1940s vintage jacket by Gilbert Adrian can help us understand its style and silhouette. Originally from a 40s suit, this press photo of designer Adrian’s black wool jacket from 1947 shows fashionable accessories on the model, such as her dark gloves. At that time, hair and hats were often small and fit close to the head for a more modern post-war look.

Adrian: Gowns and Salons, 1948

Announcement by fashion designer Gilbert Adrian, made in the Spring of 1948:

Sometimes dreams come true. For years I have wanted to show my complete collection in New York as I show it in California. At last it is possible. It is with great pleasure and pride that I announce the opening of the Adrian Room at Gunther in New York.

Here, for the first time, you may always see a complete collection, for we have arranged that all models be kept permanently in stock throughout each season.

Gunther will be the only shop in New York showing my clothes. Please consider this a personal invitation to see them there.


This gorgeous taffeta gown advertises the genius of Adrian, whose designs were well known by the fashion world of his day. As a primary American designer of his generation, it seems astonishing that he would have to wait until 1948 to have a year-round salon venue for his collection in New York. Only the previous spring, he had shown his collection in the St. Regis Hotel. In his early 40's, he had already established a Los Angeles salon and a $2 million business before launching this new salon at the center of the American fashion world.