Adele Simpson's Turkish Delight Collection, 1963

Designer Adele Simpson, shown above, was age 60 when she designed her Turkish Delight Collection for spring, 1963.  Having just returned from world-wide travels, Simpson designed the collection around her time spent in Istanbul.

The collection included prints and embroideries inspired by treasures the designer purchased while in Turkey.

Fine silks, cottons, linens, and wools were used and evening gowns were elaborately beaded.

But all was not exotic.  Simpson was also inspired by her travels to create a collection of basic pieces that could be mixed-and-matched and worn for more than one occasion.  Above, a short tan coat of Moygashel linen is worn with a matching wrap skirt over a black silk matte jersey dress.  The dress is worn here as a shell, but can emerge from under the coat and skirt and be worn for cocktails or dinner later in the day.

Here, a 3-piece travel suit by Simpson in Barbacane, a newly introduced fabric from Staron that was a blend of silk and cotton woven to look like linen without the wrinkles.

Easter 1963

When I was a child, my mother would dress me and my sisters all alike on Easter.  We would always make a big impression at church, especially after we had had our fill of chocolate eggs and jelly beans.  Here I am with 3 of my sisters (the youngest wasn't born yet) in 1963 or 64.  I'm the tall one in the back.  The dresses were blue gingham with white lace around the skirt.  We had to wear them with itchy scratchy crinoline slips.  And of course, we all had matching white patent shoes and ankle socks.  I think mom let us each choose a different white patent purse that year.

Happy Easter to you all, especially to my family!  Ah, the memories.

Teal Traina - 1963

I love these ads from Bergdorf Goodman. Whoever was writing their copy at the time (1963) had a wonderful way with words. "The Quick Black Costume....It says "news" almost before you can blink. It dashes its way into summer free of sleeves, and full of the brio a costume must have this season. The crisp Swiss-cotton ottoman was clipped and carved for us by Teal Traina with a back-flashing jacket that swings on over the easy, camisoled dress. In brisk black, frosted mocha, and a very newsy white." Perfection.

Teal Traina was Anthony Traina's nephew. Anthony Traina was Norman Norell's financial partner. Geoffrey Beene was a designer at Teal Traina from 1958-63, so it is likely this delightful outfit was his. I have a similar Teal Traina ensemble in cream silk that is currently at the cleaners. Coming soon to Couture Allure! BTW, this outfit sold for $145 in 1963 (about $1033 in today's dollar.)