1950s in Vogue: The Jessica Daves Years, 1952-1962

by Rebecca Tuite

A large-scale publication dedicated to the 1950s as captured in the pages of American Vogue . This book is illustrated by fashion’s greatest photographs of that period―the era when the magazine became the cultural force it is today. One of only seven editors in chief in American Vogue ’s history, Jessica Daves has remained one of fashion’s most enigmatic figures. Diana Vreeland’s direct predecessor in the role, it is Daves who first catapulted the magazine into modernity. A testament to a changing America on every level, Daves’s Vogue was the first to embrace a “high/low” blend of fashion in its pages and to introduce world-renowned artists, literary greats, and cultural icons into every issue, offering the reader a complete vision of how design, interiors, architecture, entertaining, art, literature, and culture all connected and contributed to refining and defining taste and personal style. Daves profiled icons of American style, from John and Jackie Kennedy to Charles and Ray Eames, alongside Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, and Balenciaga creations. Organized in multifaceted, thematic chapters, 1950s in Vogue features carefully curated photographs, illustrations, and page spreads from the Vogue archives (with iconic images as well as lesser-known wonders), and unpublished photographs and letters from Jessica Daves’s personal archives. Revealing a fascinating and hitherto little-explored moment in Vogue history, 1950s in Vogue is a must-have reference for lovers of fashion, photography, and style. 200 illustrations

Genres: Fashion

256 pages, Hardcover

Published December 10, 2019

Reviews

[kerrycat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
a truly engaging portrait of the mid-century American woman, through the eyes of Vogue during the JD decade. lovely and rather telling photos accompany text that outlines the magazine's trajectory in engaging women on all topics, from politics to science, art and architecture, interior design and of course, fashion. there's a lot more here than meets the eye, and if you're interested in mid-century America from any angle, it's a must see.

[Kimb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and designed. This book doesn't just provide insight into the Jessica Daves editorship and fashion in the 50s but also a fascinating historical perspective of the decade and women's evolving roles at the time.