Philip Mangone: Crafting Elegance in American Women’s Coats

Philip Mangone (1884–1957) was an American fashion designer and tailor best known for his stylish, high-quality coats that became especially popular during the 1930s and 1940s. Based in New York, Mangone built his reputation on creating elegant outerwear for women, garments that combined practicality with refined design. His coats were praised for their clean lines, careful tailoring, and luxurious fabrics, making them both fashionable and durable in an era when clothing was expected to last.

Mangone’s name became well recognized in American department stores, and his label was often associated with modern, sophisticated women’s fashion. His designs were frequently featured in advertisements and fashion magazines, reflecting his role in shaping mid-20th-century American style.

Mangone was also a passenger on the Hindenburg zeppelin when it crashed in 1937. He survived with severe burns and spent a year in recovery in hospitals. The first thing he did when released was to take a flight to Chicago, to prove to himself that he was still not afraid to fly. These photos showcase not only his refined tailoring and stylish designs, but also the sense of sophistication and practicality that defined Mangone’s contribution to mid-20th-century fashion.

Marilyn Ambrose in black or gray Juilliard wool greatcape hooded with nutria by Philip Mangone at Bonwit Teller, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, October 1945

Marilyn Ambrose in swashbuckling wool gabardine suit slashed with black rayon velvet by Philip Mangone at Seidenbach's, Harper's Bazaar, September 1945

Maureen Zollman in 3/4 gabardine coat by Philip Mangone, fez by Lilly Daché, pumps by Andrew Geller at Frost Bros. San Antonio, Vogue, February 1, 1945

Model in powder blue-and-black houndstooth cape and suit by Philip Mangone, Vogue, March 1, 1945

Betty Bridgers in black-and-white checked wool coat with buttons and belt in bright red leather by Philip Mangone, white hat by John Frederics, photo by Genevieve Naylor, Harper's Bazaar, March 1946

Betty Threatt in black wool suit trimmed with Persian broadtail and jeweled pockets by Philip Mangone, Harper's Bazaar, August 1946

Lisa Fonssagrives in hand-tailored, British loomed, gray worsted suit by Philip Mangone, Vogue, May 1, 1946

Marilyn Ambrose in glitter-sleeve black wool doeskin suit by Philip Mangone at Bonwit Teller, Harper's Bazaar, October 1946

Marilyn Ambrose in three-piece suit of Enka rayon and wool by Philip Mangone, hat by John Frederics, photo by John Rawlings, Harper's Bazaar, October 1946

Meg Mundy in beautifully tailored suit by Philip Mangone, photo by Toni Frissell, Vogue, march 15, 1946

Model in elegant topcoat and suit ensemble by Philip Mangone and hat by John Frederics at Frederick and Nelson, Harper's Bazaar, August 1946

Model in tailored suit of Miron's pure worsted gabardine by Philip Mangone, Harper's Bazaar, September 1946

Natalie Paine wearing gold tweed swing-back coat with butter-straw Breton from Philip Mangone, photo by Clifford Coffin, Vogue, 1946

Carolyn Cross in Forstmann's Milateen suit with corded peplum by Philip Mangone, hat by John Frederics, Vogue, February 1, 1947

Dorian Leigh in Juilliard woolen evening coat with rhinestone ball-buttons by Philip Mangone, Harper's Bazaar, October 1947

Marilyn Ambrose in a Juilliard pure wool jacket designed by Philip Mangone, Harper's Bazaar, February 1947

Meg Mundy in opulant velvety wool coat with a sweep of silver fox by Philip Mangone, Vogue, August 1, 1947

Model in Milliken's fine wool fleece coat trimmed with Persian lamb by Philip Mangone, hat by Lilly Daché, Vogue, October 15, 1947

Carmen Dell' Orefice in perfectly tailored steel wool sharkskin suit by Philip Mangone at Saks Fifth Avenue, photo by Kay Bell, Harper's Bazaar, February 1948

Evelyn Tripp in belted black and white houndstooth coat by Philip Mangone for Dayton Oval Room, photo by Erwin Blumenfield, Vogue, August 15, 1949

Evelyn Tripp in thin wool pastel plaid coat that fits like a dress by Philip Mangone, hat by Lilly Daché, photo by John Rawlings at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Vogue, February 15, 1949

Kitty Kopet in smooth black wool coat with Persian collar and cuffs by Philip Mangone for Saks Fifth Avenue, Vogue, September 1, 1949

Lisa Fonssagrives in soft black wool suit and plaid topcoat by Philip Mangone, feathered hat by Lilly Daché, Vogue, February 1, 1949

Wenda Parkinson in navy blue belted topcoat lined in gray kidskin by Philip Mangone, veiled hat by Chanda, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, September 1, 1949