Fashion Designs by Nettie Rosenstein in the 1940s and ’50s

Nettie Rosenstein (1890–1980) started making clothing professionally in 1919. She worked throughout the 1920s in various design jobs and in 1931, she started her own label.

Fashion designs by Nettie Rosenstein in the 1940s and ’50s

Rosenstein became known for her Little Black Dresses and for her evening gowns. Her dresses were fitted on models of the correct size, rather than on a very small model and graded up. For that reason, her clothes were flattering to many figure types. She also was interested in the complete ensemble and had hats, to wear with her designs, made by Madame Pauline and gloves and handbags made to accentuate the designs.

Rosenstein was the designer of both of Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower’s inaugural gowns. In 1957, she began designing sportswear and bathing suits. She closed her clothing business in 1961, but continued to design handbags and jewelry.

These vintage photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Nettie Rosenstein in the 1940s and 1950s.

Models are wearing dresses and matching caps by Nettie Rosenstein and jewelry by Tiffany's, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, November 1, 1940

Betty McLauchlen in red velveteen suit and hat by Nettie Rosenstein, jewelry by Seaman Schepps, photo by Horst P. Horst, 1941

Model in a Nettie Rosenstein suit with brooch by Tiffany worn at the waist, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, 1941

Dina Merrill in a summer evening dress of leaf-green silk shantung with white stephanotis caught under the petalled neckline by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by George Hoyningen-Huene, Harper's Bazaar, February 1945

Model in a Brooke Cadwallader "Gourmet" print in Enka Rayon, Nettie Rosenstein original design, Vogue, May 1, 1945

Model in a Guatemalan cotton dress by Nettie Rosenstein combined with gold watch chains wound around the wrists, gloves by Dawnelle, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, March 1945

Lisa Fonssagrives in beautiful white lace dress by Nettie Rosenstein at Harzfeld's, Harper's Bazaar, September 1946

Model in beautifully draped evening gown in Enka rayon-crêpe by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, April 1, 1946

Natalie Paine in red rayon-shantung suit by Nantucket Natural, silk handkerchief tied in a stocking cap pinned with Nettie Rosenstein jewels, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, June 1946

Mary Jane Russell in chrome-yellow mohair and wool fleece coat, lightly flared with double rim collar and pleated yolk back, by Originala, earrings by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, December 1957

Betty Bridgers in diagonally striped two-piece by Nettie Rosenstein, Vogue, November 1, 1948

Ruth Ford in timeless coral-red lace dress, molded to the knee with a fichu top by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Cecil Beaton, Vogue, February 1948

Model in wine-colored silk taffeta dress by Nettie Rosenstein, Vogue, October 1, 1949

Elise Daniels in short dinner dress by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Weitzel in the Sherry Netherlands Carnaval Room, Vogue, April 15, 1950

Jean Patchett in evening dress by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Genevieve Naylor at the apartment of industrial designer Raymond Loewy, 1950

Jean Patchett in sapphire blue silk-velvet evening coat by Nettie Rosenstein, veiled velvet pillbox from Mr. John, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, September 1950

Model in silk shantung dress by Nettie Rosenstein worn with silk shantung pumps adorned with white snowflakes, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, 1951

Sunny Harnett in tan linen suit by Nettie Rosenstein, Vogue, May 1, 1952

Mary Jane Russell is wearing a deep rose red silk dress by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, September 1953

Cherry Nelms in black mink jacket made to order at Bergdorf Goodman Fur Salon, crushed suede gloves by Superb, earrings by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, February 1954

Sunny Harnett in pink and red print Bianchini cotton dress with matching stole by Nettie Rosenstein, earrings by Hattie Carnegie, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, January 1954

Anne St. Marie in coat with short capelet of gray speckled wool tweed by Nettie Rosenstein, bag also by Rosenstein, hat by Sally Victor, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, October 1, 1955

Evelyn Tripp in a wool fleece coat by Nettie Rosenstein, diamond and ruby jewelry by Cartier, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, 1955

Evelyn Tripp in resplendent evening coat of yellow silk satin in free-fall to mid-calf by Nettie Rosenstein, diamonds by Harry Winston, photo by Clifford Coffin, Vogue, October 15, 1955

Linda Harper in a stole of EMBA Lutetia natural gunmetal mink by Christian Dior-New York, necklace by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, November 1955

Mary Jane Russell in narrow taffeta sheath covered with star-dust flowers, meshed in wine-red lace and black velvet by Mary Black, earrings by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, November 1955

Anne St. Marie in a dappled beige and russet silk shantung sheath and brief jacket by Nettie Rosenstein, print-wrapped Milan straw hat by Emme, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, March 15, 1956

Jessica Ford in tailored black Persian lamb coat with notched revers and big patch pocket by Ben Kahn, mink hat by Irene of New York, bag by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Louisa Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, November 1956

Mary Jane Russell in basic black broadcloth late-day suit, the split level jacket is worn over a sleeveless sheath, by Nettie Rosenstein, hat by Sally Victor, diamond jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, 1956

Sunny Harnett in Diadem EMBA mink jacket with knitted waist and cuffs by Ritter Bros., beige tweed skirt by Sloat, handbag by Nettie Rosenstein, jewelry by Verdura, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, October 15, 1957

Mary Jane Russell, evening envelope-clutch and strands of jeweled beads by Nettie Rosenstein, bronze kidskin opera pump by Julianelli, gray crystals by Hattie Carnegie, lipstick by Frances Denney, photo by William Klein, Vogue, 1958

Anna Carin Bjorck in silk print dress and kimono-style jacket from Saks Fifth Avenue, Nettie Rosenstein beads, hat by Sally Victor, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, March 1, 1959

Evelyn Tripp in chrome-yellow scarf-collared coat of wicker-woven wool by Matlin, black and white turban by Irene of New York, handbag by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, March 1, 1959

Jessica Ford in salmon-colored wool tweed suit by Handmacher, natural Milan straw hat by Emme, handbag and gloves from Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Vogue, February 15, 1959

Sara Thom in lovely blue silk organdie dress by Harvey Berin, green beads necklace by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, March 1, 1959