Milena Pavlovic Barilli: Hanes Hosiery, Fashion Illustration of the 1940's

Fashion illustrations are part of what makes women's fashion magazines of the mid-century era wonderful. Tucked into those issues are advertising illustrations that surpass most of what we see today in the media and advertising. This artwork, influenced by Surrealism, was painted for Hanes hosiery by Milena Pavlovic Barilli (a talented artist who has gained more presence in recent years on the internet).

"Hanes no-seam stockings, sheer beauty from every angle", Milena Pavlovic Barilli, 1944: Hanes

Lilli Ann: Purple Suit, Illustration from late 1940's

Post WWII, Late 1940's, "Lilli Ann" label vintage fashion advertisement, showing the peplum jacket and dramatic silhouette that the San Francisco company was famous for.

President's Day: RBW fashion illustration, late 1930's

This RBW (Count Rene Bouet-Willaumez) illustration from the late 1930's or 1940's has a patriotic flair. As an illustrator, he employed color washed emphasized with brush strokes to show the figure and fabric.

The suit and dress shown are detailed with patch pockets that sport fold over top flaps with buttons. The suit coat has a fun back pocket that plays up the back interest seen in fashion during the late 1930's. The shoulders are broad, with sharp emphasis at the sleeve top. This was probably before the US went to war, since there seems to be excess fabric folds and a longer skirt length, and those would be restricted during the war years.

Of special interest are the hats worn on the top or back of the head, they provide a fun and amusing detail to the overall outfit.

Fashion Illustration by RBW, late 1930's or 1940's

"RBW" is the signature for Count Rene Bouet-Wilaumez whose illustrations during the 1930's through 1950's were a signature look for "Vogue" magazine. He would become popular both in advertising and editorials commissioned to support written magazine articles.

RBW used pen and ink to create the look he was known for. Often brush strokes are seen along with both color and ink washes. Like most illustrators, he used live models wearing the gowns as he worked. Hence, his textile work is gorgeous, such as the drapery seen in the illustration shown here.

Fashion Illustration by Berard, c. 1940's gown by Lelong

"Berard" is the signature for Parisian illustrator, Christian Berard (Bebe), who specialized in a romantic, baroque illustration style. Originally he designed costumes and theater settings, later on he would be recruited by the big fashion magazines for his illustrations. Berard would eventually illustrate for both "Vogue" and "Harper's Bazaar" during the 1930's and 40's.

Berard studied painting with Vuillard when young and his brush style evokes the sensitive ink line of Japanese brush work. His signature style has a simple almost abstract qualities. He also explored the bright color contrasts often associated with the war years, such as acid green and plum or gold and dark green. Born in 1902, he died young at age 47 in 1949.

Fashion Illustration by Eric, C. 1940's

Another great fashion illustration by "Eric" (Carl Erickson) who was a strong graphic influence from the 1930's through 1950's for the American "Vogue" magazine. There is a mention of Carl Erickson this month in "Vogue" along with a small glimpse of him in a fashion photo of Gertrude Stein by Horst (see February, 2012, page 112).