Photograph of a women in 1940’s. Photograph by Cecil Beaton, Vogue (British edition) September 1941, London, Gelatin-silver print
I found this photograph when looking in the University library, the book was titled “The V&A Gallery of Fashion”. I was really captivated by where this photo was taken and who the model was in the picture. From reading further on in the book I found out that this image was taken in front of the ruins of the Temple church in London after it was bombed on the 10th of May 1941. Vogue used this image as a selling point for maintaining their status and readership. The title of this photograph was called “Fashion is Indestructible”. In the photo the model, who is unknown wore a suit designed by Digby Morton. Fashion was considered to still be important during the Second World War as a morale booster.
Fashioned in New York, the latest American ‘siren suit,’ 1941. Photo: IWM, http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG11446271/Fashion-on-the-Ration-how-World-War-2-finally-let-women-wear-the-trousers.html
From further research online I found a relatable source from the Telegraph in an article about how World War 2 finally allowed woman to wear trousers due to the shortage of clothing and rations. It stated that introduction of slacks first appeared on the market in the 1930s but were not popular to begin with; it was only until the war began did slacks become well known and a fashion trend. Vogue featured slacks in 1939 when presenting them in their fashion magazine modelled by a woman in an Eastern headdress paired with red slippers. Whilst Vogue was determined to not let attitudes to outward appearances be forgotten due to the war, the magazine Home and Country offered more practical and realistic advice. In its September and October issue they published darning and patches as well as knitting patterns for matching vest and underwear.
I was really intrigued about rationing in Britain during WW2 and decided to develop my knowledge and understanding further. From looking at an article in the Guardian titled “Fashion on the ration, how to make do and mend defined wartime style.” I found interesting information on what women would use in the absence of certain beauty products, for example they would wear beetroot juice in the lack of lipstick and use Moondusk Cyclax fake stocking cream. Not only did the women use Moondusk Cyclax they would also paint on a false seam to make the look more realistic. What I found most interesting was when utility clothing was made, I originally believed them to be in poor condition; however after reading the article I found that this was not the case. Utility clothing was in fact made well as they were expected to have a long duration. The restrictions for clothing were never to be taken out of line. There could be no more than five buttons, two pockets and two pleats on garments. The government released bracing ideas like pamphlets showing how to patch and darn as well as films being shown which included instructions on how to remodel a man’s felt hat. Fashion during the war was difficult especially when trying to keep up the morale with the limited supplies they had, however it seemed many women found interesting ways to keep up their daily beauty tricks and sense of style.