Michael Sherard (1910–1998) was a prominent British couturier and a leading figure in the London fashion scene during the mid-20th century. As a member of the elite Incorporated Society of London Fashion Designers (IncSoc), he stood alongside legends like Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies, helping to restore London’s reputation as a global fashion capital after World War II. Sherard was celebrated for his refined craftsmanship and “romantic-classical” aesthetic, specializing in exquisitely tailored evening gowns and formal wear that catered to the British aristocracy and high society.
Beyond the runway, Sherard made a significant impact on the performing arts, designing costumes for approximately 30 West End productions, most notably the original 1952 production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. His designs were often characterized by luxurious fabrics and intricate detailing, such as his signature “leafy-tiered” skirts.
After closing his fashion house in 1964, Sherard transitioned into a distinguished academic career, sharing his expertise with future generations of designers. These glamorous photos capture portraits of model wearing fashion designs by Michael Sherard from the mid-20th century.
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| Barbara Goalen in evening dress with a graceful swirl of pleats and jewel-embroidered top, wrapped with swaths of marron tulle by Michael Sherard, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1949 |
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| Barbara Goalen in romantic white organdie dress hand-painted with London sparrows, the waist threaded with brown ribbon by Michael Sherard, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper' Bazaar UK, April 1949 |
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| Princess Helen Wolkonsky wearing a pleated evening dress of shaded yellow chiffon with a flying stole by Michael Sherard, photo by Jay at the Coloseum in Rome, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1949 |
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| Shelagh Wilson in wonderful ball dress of tiny spiraling accordion pleats in three tiers in muted green silk taffeta with a spray of roses at the waist by Michael Sherard, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1949 |
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| Della Oake in a suit by Michael Sherard, photo by Lee Miller for the Picture Post, " London Says Dress To Suit Yourself", 1950 |
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| Anne Gunning in velours greatcoat in greenish Plantagent-blue, with big sleeves narrowing to the wrists and pyramid collar of Plantagenet-dyed mole by Michael Sherard, photo by Richard Dormer, September 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in a pagoda-dance dress that falls in tiers from a detachable pie-frill cape in pale lilac lace over bouffant tulle by Michael Sherard, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1952 |
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| Anne Gunning in burnt orange wool jacket with black seal belt in back over a sleek dress with peg-topped skirt by Michael Sherard, hat by Madame Brill, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1953 |
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| Della Oake in black and brown tweed jacket with a barrel-like roundness, tab-fastened across loose, low hip-line by Michael, toffee brown beret in felt and velours by Madame Brill, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1953 |
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| Jean Shrimpton in beige honeycomb wool suit with longer jacket zipped up to a yoke over an apricot silk blouse by Michael Sherard, apricot trilby by Graham Smith, photo by Donald Silverstein, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1953 |
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| Model in delustred satin dress by Michael Sherard, Celanese Acetate ad, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1953 |
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| Shelagh Wilson in a tucked rose quartz satin sheath descending in subtly graduated steps from bosom to hem by Michael Sherard, photo by Richard Dormer in the Oliver Messel Room at the Dorchester, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1953 |
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| Susan Abraham in short barrel coat of sulphur yellow brushed fleece over a brown and yellow check dress by Michael Sherard, hat by Renée Pavy, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1953 |
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| Simone d'Aillencourt in burnt orange linen hopsack weave coat over a white linen dress with a false front by Michael, sunbonnet in stitched linen by Mme. Brill, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1956 |
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| Susan Abraham in evening dress of eglantine satin, the skirt draped to the back and tied in a flat bow with a diamanté buckle by Michael Sherard, photo by Eugene Vernier, Vogue, October 15, 1956 |
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| Simone d'Aillencourt wearing a halo of creamy maribou and little brown feathers by Jean Barthet at Michael Sherard, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1957 |
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| Maggi Eckardt in raspberry and white wool houndstooth coat with a dropped shoulder line and deep double-buttoned tab at the hip by Michael Sherard, white leather hat by Graham Smith, photo by Michael Williams, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1960 |
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| Model in striking slubbed silk plain pink suit and tent-striped overblouse by Michael Sherard, matching striped mushroom hat by Graham Smith, photo by Michael Williams, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1961 |
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| Celia Hammond in tapestry-like tweed in pink, green, and gray with a silver thread over sleeveless blouse in green/beige crêpe by Michael, hat by Graham Smith, photo by Michael Williams, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1964 |
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| Celia Hammond in navy-and-brown tweed suit with narrow line, scarfed with navy silk by Michael, hat by Graham Smith, photo by Terence Donovan, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1965 |
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| Celia Hammond in swinging navy blue wool crêpe coat over a white-topped dress with the same oblique seaming by Michael, red-white-and-blue silk hat by Graham Smith, photo by Terence Donovan, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1965 |
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| Merle Lynn in brilliant traveling coat of thick pimento double wool faced with mustard by Michael, hat of same material by Graham Smith, photo by Bill King, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1966 |
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| Model in great suit in Lesur's toast wool overchecked with white, short jacket just skims the body, the skirt has slit side pockets by Michael Sherard, beige and white straw hat by Otto Lucas, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, 1968 |
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