Stunning Fashion Designs by Joset Walker in the 1940s and Early ’50s

Joset Walker (1902–1999) was a French-born American fashion designer best known for her elegant and practical ready-to-wear clothing. Born Josette Georgette Legouy in France, she moved to the United States at age 14 and later studied at the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (now Parsons School of Design), graduating in 1928. Among her classmates was the renowned designer Claire McCardell.

In the 1930s and ’40s, Walker became known for her colorful sportswear and her use of international influences, including Mexican and Guatemalan textile patterns. Her designs were sold at major department stores such as Bloomingdale’s and Saks, and she eventually founded her own successful label, Joset Walker Designs.

Her work was featured in prominent fashion magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Life, and she was recognized for her ability to blend high style with wearability. Walker retired from fashion in the 1970s and spent her later years restoring an 18th-century home in Flemington, New Jersey. Take a look below at some of Joset Walker’s most captivating fashion designs from the 1940s and early ’50s.

Models in beautiful Everfast fabric dresses by Joset Walker, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, May 1945

Bijou Barrington in draped Enka rayon jersey knit dress in heather by Joset Walker, hat by John Frederics, Harper's Bazaar, August 1945

Model in Jamaican print Dan River cotton fabric dress by Joset Walker, Vogue, January 1, 1947

Evelyn Tripp in Cohama wool dress shot through with silver Lurex by Joset Walker, worn with with small velveteen cap and chinchilla muff, photo By Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, November 1948

Model in agate-colored piqué sleeveless dress squared off with a giant bertha, by Joset Walker, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, June 1948

Model in unbroken princess line dress in pale coral linen, its seams piped in linen by Joset Walker, Kodachrome by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, June 1948

Ricki VanDusen in calico day-dress with reversible print skirt by Joset Walker, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, May 1, 1948

Virginia Stewart is wearing a sundress by Joset Walker, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe in the California desert near Yuma, used for cover of Harper's Bazaar, May 1948

Dovima in white mock broadtail street-length skirt worn with black wool jersey shirt and orange jersey cummerbund by Joset Walker, patent leather shoes by Capezio, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, October 15, 1949

Leslie Ames in silky cotton muslin slip-strap dress and matching scarf by Joset Walker, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, January 1949

Lisa Fonssagrives in cotton "Taffeton" dress by Joset Walker, Harper's Bazaar, May 1949

Liz Pringle in skirt and blouse by Joset Walker, Kodachrome by Genevieve Taylor, Harper's Bazaar, November 1949

Liz Pringle in skirt and blouse by Joset Walker, photo by Genevieve Naylor, circa 1949

Mary Jane Russell in a one-piece playsuit tied and knotted at leg and neck of pale blue waffled cotton piqué by Joset Walker, photo by Norman Parkinson, Jamaica, Vogue, December 1, 1949

Models in pastel colored dresses and matching turbans by Joset Walker, photo by Genevieve Naylor, circa 1949

Sandra Nelson in casual dress of marigold Moygashel linen by Joset Walker, Phelps belt, Hubert Harmonn sandals, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, June 1949

A slim silhouette is accented in this travel dress by Joset Walker, made of a single length of material it has big patch pockets, photo by Nina Leen, 1950

Jean Patchett in white flannel dress that buttons down the back by Joset Walker, flexible tassel pin by Castlecliff, coat of boldly-marked civet cat and skunk, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, October 15, 1950

Mary Jane Russell in black linen shorts and jacket by Joset Walker at Lord & Taylor, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, April 1950

Mary Jane Russell in dress by Joset Walker, leopard jacket by Maximilian, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, March 1950

Model in electric-blue Moygashel linen dress with black shantung bow and black calfskin belt by Joset Walker, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, April 1, 1950

Georgia Hamilton in dress by Joset Walker, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe at Casa Gonzalez, Antigua, Guatemala, Harper's Bazaar, June 1952

Sue Jenks in beach wear from Joset Walker, photo by Henry Clarke in Portugal, 1952

Sue Jenks in sunning suit of white seersucker, a white pinafore bowtied over rompers by Joset Walker, photo by Henry Clarke, Portugal, Vogue, June 1, 1952

Sue Jenks in white seersucker sundress, strapless, the bodice shirred and cinched with brown burlap fascia by Joset Walker, photo by Frances McLaughlin, Vogue, April 15, 1952