Art and

Fashion in the
1950’s
By: Charlotte Wakefield
Major Events in 1950’s
● 1950- Pop Art was first introduced in NY by artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. This type of art
brought popular imagery and blurred the boundaries in society of “high” and “low” culture.
● 1950 – The movie,Father of the Bride is released stars Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. Elizabeth Taylor
in the movie wears a lace wedding dress, and is soon considered one of her most iconic looks.
● 1951 – Alan Freed, an American disc jockey popularized the term “Rock ‘n’ roll.” New teen styles emerged
that were influenced by the style of music, including “Teddy boys” and prom dresses. This decade was
heavily influenced in fashion by musical stars including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and June Carter.
● 1951-1955 With the ideas of rebuilding the community after WWIII, many new inspiring entertainment
emerged. Musicals like Guys and Dolls, Singing in the Rain, An American in Paris, and films including
Father of the Bride came into the fifties as representations of fashion styles.
● Late 1940 to Mid 1950s- abstract expressionism art became increasingly popular as it emphasized freedom
of technique, emotion, and expressive quality.
Major Events in the 1950’s
● 1957- Jailhouse Rock, featuring Elvis Presley, revolutionizes the spread of rock n’ roll style,
● 1958- Yves Saint Laurent premieres his first collection at Dior
● 1959- The Barbie doll is first released and is marketed as a “Teenage Fashion Model.” Lycra, commonly
known as, spandex is produced; revolutionizing performance sportswear and fashionable clothing.
● In the 1950, accessories were worn but changed from hats to women were wearing scarves in their hair
more. Butterfly glasses added personality to the face and grand belts were worn on the waist were used to
feature the waist silhouette. Real jewels weren't worn as often for the reason that costume jewelry became
increasingly popular. Footwear created by designers including Roger Vivier, moved away from the utility
styling and fancy additions on shoes. Instead, velvet and crocodile skin were used for shoes.
● New textiles and technologies appeared during the 1950s such as new synthetic and easy-care fabrics
being produced. Materials like these fit into everyday suburban lifestyles. Acrylic, spandex, polyester,
triacetate, nylon, orlon, dacron were important materials due to their ability to retain heat set pleats after
washing.
Major Events- Invention of New Clothing Materials

During World War II, materials and clothing items were

rationed for the soldiers fighting in the war. Once the
war ended, more qualities and types of fabrics came
about and allowed for a new type of fashion style to
emerge. Fabrics like spandex and triacetate were
invented. Spandex was popular due to its elasticity, fast
drying, and its ability to return to original state after
being stretched. Triacetate was used for its silk-like
appearance, softness, and for its color function. Womens
fashion exploded with extra fabric including long skirts.
After the war there was a large economic boom and this
contributed to the use and consuming of any new
clothes and invention of new clothing materials that
would shape the fashion of the fifties.
Major Events- Elvis Presley & Rock n’ Roll
Elvis Presley, also known as the King of
Rock n’ Roll, first primeres Jailhouse Rock
in 1957. This song helps spread the iconic
fashion of Rock n’ Roll in the 1950s. This
style would include teenage boys wearing
tight blue jeans and white shirts.
Rockabilly was also a new style that
emerged from other songs he wrote. With
his large influence and great songs he
clearly spread his own style throughout
the fifties.
Major Event- Abstract Expressionism Movement
Abstract Expressionism can be defined as the
development of abstract art with a target of
subjective emotional expression in a creative way.
The Abstract Expressionism movement was shaped
by the what was happening in society. This type of
art is known for being very large scale and
expressive of a rugged type of freedom. It led many
people to feel a certain way. It became a
widespread style and spread to parts of Europe. At
a time when America was culturally isolated, the
movement helped bring artist to create a new style
of art. Abstract Expressionism depicted how life
was like in the fifties and represented the artists
feelings towards society at the time.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was an important person to
fashion in the 1950s because of the
influence he had on society. Elvis Presley
was an actor and a singer. He contributed
to the huge breakthrough of rock n’ roll. He
was known for his extravagant
performance and casual outfits. He was
known for cuban collar shirts, wide-legged,
pleated trousers, and simple black loafers.
Hair gelled back was a familiar hairstyle of
his. With his large fan crowd, he was able to
effectively spread his style as an icon.
Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol is a famous and easily
recognizable artist for his works in the
1950s. He was known for his famous
works in introducing pop art. His art
can easily be described as connecting
celebrity culture and artistic
expression. He is important because
he reinvented the concept of artistic
expressions and he influenced other
artists in the decade.
Christian Dior
Christian Dior was a famous clothing designer. Christian
Dior had a huge influence on the fashion trends of the
1950s. In 1947, his first collection of “the New Look” was
debuted in Paris completely revolutionized the past
fashion trends. His “New Look” was completely the
opposite of the ‘40s look. The fabric was higher quality,
shoulders became softer compared to the boxy look, new
hourglass type shape, and the skirt changed to a more
flowy shape instead of a straight skirt. Ladies fashion
completely looked up to his inspiring ideas. His
mid-nineteenth century look would completely take over
the 1950s and change how people looked to fashion.
 This photo shows some of
women's fashion in the 1950s. It
was a fashion guide for people to
look to in order to stay in the
trends of the time. The girls in
the picture are seen wearing
dresses that have a tapered waist
(style of the time). It also explains
in the small paragraphs the types
of dresses, shoes, purses,
accessories, stockings, and
gloves that should be worn. This
guide would help spread new
style of the decade.
Art had a huge cultural explosion
in the 1950s. 1950s art was
influenced by 1920s modernism,
surrealism, and abstract art. The
abstract expressionist style was
an important art movement as it
had a worldwide influence on
modern sculpture, pop art, and
lyrical abstraction. Famous artist
in the 1950s include Andy
Warhol. Other styles of the
1950s include pop art,
informalism, and neo data.
Outcomes and Effects of Fashion in the 1950s
Fashion and new clothing of the 50s impacted how America's clothing would evolve. After World War
II, the American economy would boom and more people would be able to buy clothes. Also, people weren’t
rationed with their material, so excess fabric could be used. This lead into large, flowy skirts. New styles
came about in the 50s including tea length swing dresses, pencil skirts, and tailored suits. New styles of
accessories first came about including butterfly glasses, gloves, and a hairstyle for men that required
slick-backed hair. Mens and womens both shared some fashion styles including a business type look and tight
blue jeans. Dresses became shorter and a new style of rockabilly (rock n’ roll) emerged from Elvis Presley’s
Jailhouse Rock song. New types of ,materials were invented including spandex and triacetate which allowed
for new styles of clothes. These materials were used in the decades leading up to now and are still used
today! Some style trends carried out into the 60’s including beatnik fashion, which was a very simple and
minimalistic outfit. The style of the 50s influenced the 60s in leading it to a hippie/tye-dye looks. These
fashion styles helped create new future decades of fashion due to its modern take on past styles.
Outcomes and Effects of Art in the 1950s
The fifties came out with many new art styles/form including pop art, color field,
sculptures, and the abstract expressionism movement. Pop art carried on to the next
decade with the help of talented artist including Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana.
These artist had an influence on the decades because of their influence on fashion
with their creative works. In the 60s, art became more minimalistic and was focused
primarily on sharper and more jagged shapes instead of abstract art. Many art styles
affected culture and people read each piece of art differently. Also with fashion,
consumerism rose due to the end of WWII. Today we still see this influential decade
of art and artist everyday are inspired by artists’ works in the fifties.
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