Impressive Fashion Designs by Nelly de Grab From the 1950s

Nelly de Grab was a fashion designer known for her work in the mid-20th century, particularly from the 1940s to the 1960s. She was a prolific designer of women’s apparel, specializing in the “at-home” dress and casual, ready-to-wear fashion.

De Grab’s designs were characterized by their comfort and practicality, often featuring elegant yet relaxed silhouettes. She was particularly famous for her “hostess gowns” and leisure wear, which were fashionable alternatives to more formal evening wear. These garments were designed for women to wear while entertaining guests at home.

Her brand became popular in the United States, with her creations sold in major department stores like Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue. Nelly de Grab’s work reflected the shift in fashion towards more relaxed and functional clothing for the post-war era, anticipating the casual wear trends that would become a staple of modern fashion.

Take a look at these vintage photos to see impressive fashion designs by Nelly de Grab from the 1950s.

A sheer pink shirtwaist blouse and a bell-shaped skirt by Nelly de Grab, photo by Richard Rutledge, 1952

Barbara Mullen in a navy blue Crompton velvet dress with a flared white piqué ruff by Nelly de Grab, jewelry by La Tausca, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, February 1950

Eva Gerney (l) and Lisa Fonssagrives in linen separates by Nelly de Grab, white straw sailor by Harryson and veiled pillbox by Betmar, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, March 1, 1950

Carol McCallson in cotton lace dress with rhinestone buttons and detachable neckline by Nelly de Grab, photo by Tom Palumbo, Harper's Bazaar, April 1951

Carol McCallson in dress and shawl of denim and Celanese acetate for a soft and supple feel, by Nelly de Grab, Harper's Bazaar, May 1951

Gyongyi Armstrong in separates of black cotton lace over white satin, short lace cardigan has rhinestone buttons, white halter top and full skirt, all by Nelly de Grab, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, April 1951

Nan Rees in brilliant red skirt with black and white crinolines and white ribbed sleeveless sweater, both by Nelly de Grab, cover photo by Clifford Coffin, Glamour, November 1951

Carol McCallson in black knit top and the Venice-inspired skirt in beige printed with black by Nelly de Grab at Peck & Peck, photo by Tom Palumbo, Vogue, January 1, 1952

Dovima in Crompton velvet dress by Nelly de Grab, Vogue, August 15, 1952

Model in Avisco rayon dress by Nelly de Grab, Harper's Bazaar, November 1952

Model in cotton striped dress by Nelly de Grab, hat by John Frederics, Glamour, May 1952

Dovima wearing red halter sweater of knit cotton by Nelly De Grab, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, June 1953

Janet Randy (l) and Jean Patchett in hand-painted skirts and tops by Nelly de Grab, photo by William Ward, Vogue, April 1, 1953

Cherry Nelms model holding a railing wearing a Nelly de Grab shirt and shorts with Mosell earrings, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, January 1954

Janet Randy in cotton broadcloth sleeveless shirt and striped pleated skirt by Nelly de Grab at Peck & Peck, Vogue, April 1, 1954

Jean Patchett in elegant after-five look of black satin skirt and camisole under a jacket of silver lamé with silver fox collar, by Nelly de Grab, black beret by Madcaps, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, November 15, 1954

Mary Jane Russell in black wool and rabbit's hair jersey top banded in satin worn with slim black broadcloth skirt, both by Nelly de Grab, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, August 1954

Model in silk-rayon dress, full skirted with dropped waistline and plunging back by Nelly de Grab, Glamour, November 1954

Model in velveteen dress with its own detachable raccoon collar by Nelly de Grab, 1954

Barbara Mullen in bloused-back top and skirt of beige wool and rabbit's fur by Nelly de Grab, mink beret by Irene of New York, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, August 1955

Georgia Hamilton in pretty Everglaze cotton-satin garden party dress by Nelly de Grab, Harper's Bazaar, January 1955

Lois Gunas Wideman in pretty flower-embroidered cotton dress by Nelly de Grab, Vogue, December 1, 1955

Sunny Harnett in golden mesh sweater dress by Nelly de Grab, bead ropes at the waist by Coro, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, February 1955

Suzy Parker in Everglaze polished cotton blouse and full skirt by Nelly de Grab, Harper's Bazaar, January 1955

Joanna McCormick in red and green wool plaid skirt with black wool jersey top, the stole used as a fascia by Nelly de Grab, cloche by Betmar, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, August 1, 1956

Dolores Hawkins in bright madras dress of marigold and poppy by Nelly de Grab, bib necklace and bracelets by Kramer, photo by Herman Landshoff at the Westhampton Bath & Tennis Club, Mademoiselle, 1957

Jessica Ford in striped knit top and shorts by Nelly de Grab, hat by Mr. John, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, May 1957

Ivy Nicholson in a mimosa yellow and green cotton print over-blouse and skirt by Nelly de Grab, yellow straw hat by Mr. John, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, April 1958