Elegant Fashion Designs in the 1950s by Leslie Morris

Born in New York, American fashion designer Leslie Morris worked as a designer for Harry Collins before being employed in 1928 by Bergdorf Goodman department store to create couture-level clothing in their made-to-order salon. Her fellow designers at Bergdorf’s included Russian royalty Grand Duchess Marie, and a Paris couturier called Valentine Tukine, before she was named head designer of the couture department in 1931.

Fashion designs in the 1950s by Leslie Morris

Morris also worked alongside Mark Mooring while he was at Bergdorf’s between 1933 and 1948, and in 1941, Morris, Mooring and Mary Gleason were cited as the store’s three best-known designers. Mooring, Morris and Gleason were regularly acknowledged as a strong design team while they were working together.

In 1957, Morris won that year’s main Coty Award for fashion design, along with the ready-to-wear designer Sydney Wragge. She presented her last made-to-order collection at Bergdorf Goodman in March 1967, after 39 years in the industry. Two years later, Bergdorf closed their couture salon.

Take a look at these vintage photos to see elegant fashion designs by Leslie Morris in the 1950s.

Model in fiery red silk satin dress flickering with red beads by Leslie Morris (made to order at Bergdorf Goodman), photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, October 1950

Model in short evening dress of embroidered lace under a wool jersey bolero entirely embroidered in jet, by Leslie Morris, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, September 15, 1950

Dorian Leigh in navy-blue wool suit with large frog closures of black braid worn with cashmere sweater, made to order by Leslie Morris, photo by Cecil Beaton, Vogue, March 1, 1950

Lisa Fonssagrives in at-home evening ensemble of plaid tartan skirt with black glove-sleeved silk mousseline blouse designed by Leslie Morris for Bergdorf Goodman, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, March 1, 1950

Lisa Fonssagrives in circling-jacket of EMBA mutation mink designed by Leslie Morris to order at Bergdorf Goodman, jewelry By Verdura, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, June 1950

Dovima in beautiful bare-shouldered evening dress of Italian silk, then pleats of black net to below the calf, by Leslie Morris, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1951

Elise Daniels in an Italian silk redingote, the top shaped tight with a wide skirt and lantern-shaped sleeves by Leslie Morris, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1951

Jean Patchett is wearing a gown by Leslie Morris, photo by Irving Penn for Vogue US, March 1951

Ann Klem in a wedding dress by Leslie Morris, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, April 1952

Evelyn Tripp in lovely silk surah print dress and matching draped and sashed turban by Leslie Morris, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, March 15, 1953

Evelyn Tripp in sable velours suit with creamy dyed nutria collar by Leslie Morris, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, October 1953

Lisa Fonssagrives in black broadcloth suit with scarf of black-dyed and wild mink worn with black velvet chechia by Leslie Morris, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, August 15, 1953

Model in blue velvet, jet encrusted, evening gown, scrolled with black braid and tied off with satin ribbon, by Leslie Morris, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, October 1953

Nancy Berg in blue velvet embroidered ball gown by Leslie Morris, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, October 1953

Evelyn Tripp in re-embroidered bisque lace dress with covered shoulders, a high-waisted sash and skirt bordered with faille by Leslie Morris, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, April 1, 1954

Grace Kelly wearing gown by Leslie Morris poses for Life magazine, photo by Philippe Halsman, 1954

Marilyn Ambrose in gorgeous evening gown covered to the throat and sleeves in pink lace and carried in a deep bell of black velvet by Leslie Morris, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, October 1954

Anne St. Marie in romantic evening dress of blue close-wrapped silk top dipping low in back with sheer silk organdy skirt overlaying printed poppies on the underskirt, by Leslie Morris, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, April 15, 1955

Evelyn Tripp in beautiful claret velvet evening dress with sequinned embroidery by Leslie Morris, photo by Clifford Coffin, New York, American Vogue, September 15, 1955

Sunny Harnett in beautiful gown of iridescent blue silk top over flowing skirt of blue poppies layered over organza silk by Leslie Morris, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1955

Carmen Dell' Orefice in a lovely blue and white floral print chiffon dress, a ribboned scarf covers the bare shoulders, by Leslie Morris, photo by Gleb Derujinsky in front of Lever House, New York City, Harper's Bazaar, April 1956

Mary Jane Russell in pale pink chiffon overblouse embroidered with satin and shimmering beads over a close satin bodice and pink satin skirt tied with bow, by Leslie Morris, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, September 1, 1956

Mary McLaughlin in ankle length evening dress of black silk crêpe by Leslie Morris, coiffure by Coiffures Americana, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, Evins shoes, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, September 15, 1957

Model in seductive black lace dress belted in satin with hem that dips low in back worn with airy lace hat, both by Leslie Morris, photo by Tom Palumbo, Harper's Bazaar, October 1957

Anne St. Marie in slip-sheath of apricot silk-crêpe souffléd by orange and white floral print silk organdy floating in panels at the back by Leslie Morris, photo by Jerry Schatzberg, Vogue, April 1, 1958

Evelyn Tripp in fluidly draped black silk crêpe dinner dress with a high side-tied waistline and deep V décolletage, by Leslie Morris, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, November 1, 1958

Suzy Parker in bark brown tweed suit with a belted overblouse of coral and white raw silk which also lines the jacket, by Leslie Morris, Julianelli shoes, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1958

May Britt in short pink silk chiffon dress with sari scarf by Leslie Morris, photo by Louis Faurer, Harper's Bazaar, October 1959