Beautiful Fashion Designs by Vera Maxwell From the 1940s and ’50s

Vera Maxwell (1901–1995) was a pioneering American fashion designer known for practical, elegant women’s sportswear.

Originally a ballet dancer, Maxwell transitioned into fashion and launched Vera Maxwell Originals in 1947. She introduced the “weekend wardrobe” concept and designed utilitarian clothing like the WWII “Rosie the Riveter” coveralls.

Maxwell was the first American designer to use fabrics like Ultrasuede and Arnel. Her clients included First Ladies and performers, and she won the Coty Award in 1953. Maxwell retired in 1985, leaving a legacy of timeless, functional fashion.

These vintage photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Vera Maxwell from the 1940s and ’50s.

Betty McLauchlen wearing a white wool sea-dog jacket with red cravat by Vera Maxwell, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, April 1942

Betty McLauchlen wearing Vera Maxwell’s camel-colored back-buttoned suit, photo by John Rawlings, 1944

Model in gray travel suit of Forstmann flannel with brown fleece revers by Vera Maxwell, rawhide case by Boyle, suitcases by Samsonite, photo by Luis Lemus, Vogue, May 15, 1947

Meg Mundy in pale topaz tweed coat, with slender shoulder, close collar and flare at the hemline by Vera Maxwell, natural straw roller by John Frederics, Marc Cross bag, photo by Paul Himmel, Harper's Bazaar, March 1948

Model in Milliken smooth 100% virgin wool dress by Vera Maxwell, Vogue, March 1948

Dovima in superb black silk shantung sheath topped with ivory rayon-cotton jacket with black velvet collar, by Vera Maxwell, black velvet beret, Trifari pearls, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, July 1949

Georgia Hamilton in short pink jacket over blue silk dress by Vera Maxwell, photo by Horst P. Horst, US Vogue, January 1949

Ricki VanDusen in chamois-colored reefer of wool suede cloth with princess dress of peach sheer wool by Vera Maxwell in Milliken wools, photo by Horst P. Horst, US Vogue, January 1949

Cherry Nelms in rust colored Harris tweed jacket over yellow jersey vest and gray worsted flannel skirt by Vera Maxwell, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, January 1, 1950

Model in elegant suit of tweed-like fabric using Celanese rayon, by Vera Maxwell, Vogue, February 1, 1951

Model in versatile go-everywhere suit by Vera Maxwell of Avisco rayon, Vogue, August 15, 1951

Lillian Marcuson wearing a brown coat dress in wool tweed by Vera Maxwell, photo by Frances McLaughlin-Gill, Glamour, September 1952

Leslie Caron is wearing a French silk floral print dress by Vera Maxwell, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, July 1953

Maggie McNamara in floral print dress by Vera Maxwell, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, July 1953

Sunny Harnett wearing Vera Maxwell, photo by Horst P. Horst, US Vogue, February 1, 1955

Anne St. Marie in thin, sheer Supima cotton dress, long-sleeved, full-skirted in misty-pink with black-and-white print silk surah midriff by Vera Maxwell, hat by Sally Victor, photo by Clifford Coffin, Vogue, May 1, 1956

Dolores Hawkins in casual wool topcoat in muted gray-gold-and-white checks over a full-skirted yellow cotton dress both by Vera Maxwell, hemp bah by Josef, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, January 15, 1957

Model in a British gun-club check wool suit with an easy jacket, pleated skirt and matching gloves by Vera Maxwell and with earrings and bracelet by Cartier, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, August 1958

Carmen Dell' Orefice in purple Moygashel linen jacket and skirt worn with fleur-de-lis print blouse by Vera Maxwell, handbag by Josef, Harper's Bazaar, January 1959

Simone d'Aillencourt in closely knitted jersey cardigan dress by Vera Maxwell, shoes by Delman, belt by Roger van S, photo by Louis Faurer, Harper's Bazaar, January 1959