The VFG believes that informed selling and buying communities are good for the vintage-fashion industry as a whole, and all visitors to the website have access to the VFG resources. These are continually updated and constantly evolving, thanks to a dedicated volunteer staff.
Our blog features our picks of the freshest vintage items, member news and articles. We have also created a growing series of articles on some classic designers.
The Vintage Fashion Guild™ (VFG) is an international organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of vintage fashion.
The Vintage Fashion Guild™ (VFG) is an international community of people with expertise in vintage fashion. VFG members enjoy a wealth of resources, avenues for promoting their shops and specialties, and camaraderie with others who share a common interest and passion.
Norman Hartnell (1901-1979) began designing in 1923, working for a London dressmaker. Shortly thereafter he opened his own business and by 1927 he was showing in Paris. In 1937 he was appointed dressmaker to the Royal Family. He made Elizabeth II’s wedding dress and, in 1953, her spectacular coronation gown.
Hartnell was renowned as a designer of gowns, but he also excelled at tailoring tweed suits and coats. During World War II he designed women’s uniforms for the British military and for the Red Cross. He also worked to design stylish clothes that met the rationing demands of the day.
He started in ready-to-wear in 1942. By the end of the 1940s he was also designing for Berketex. After Hartnell’s death in 1979, the House of Hartnell remained open. It went though a succession of designers, including Murray Arbeid and Victor Edelstein. Finally, Marc Bohan was brought in, but Hartnell closed in 1992.
Written by fuzzylizzie
Courtesy of antiquesdress.com
Courtesy of Willow Hilson
Courtesy of antiquedress.com
Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage
from a 1950s gown
from a 1950s beaded dress
from a 1950s dress
from a mid 1950s licensed fur shrug