Beautiful Fashion Designs by Larry Aldrich in the 1950s

Larry Aldrich (1906–2001) was an American manufacturer of women’s clothing. He began making clothing in 1927 but his own name didn’t appear on labels until the 1940s.

Fashion designs by Larry Aldrich in the 1950s

Larry Aldrich clothing was stylish, but not fashion-forward. Styles from Paris were adapted to have a more conservative sensibility. He was a collector of modern art, and in the late 1960s was known for using Op Art fabrics that he had designed for him.

In 1957, Aldrich became very involved in art collecting, and made Marie McCarthy (who had been with the firm since 1943) the head designer. By the mid to late ’60s, the label read “Marie McCarthy for Larry Aldrich.”

In 1972, Larry Aldrich retired from the clothing business to concentrate on developing his art museum, the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. He sold his business to Lew Prince, and the label became simply, “Aldrich.”

Take a look at these stunning photos to see portraits of classic beauty wearing fashion designs by Larry Aldrich in the 1950s.

Lisa Fonssagrives in dinner suit of navy blue silk taffeta accented with sprays of white lilacs at the neck, by Larry Aldrich, veiled white straw hat by Sally Victor, photo by Diane and Allan Arbus, Vogue, March 1, 1950

Jean Patchett in short evening dress and stole of Enka rayon crêpe by Larry Aldrich, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, January 1, 1950

Model in gray flannel sleeveless dress and matching bolero lined in apricot silk shantung same as the scarf, by Larry Aldrich, faux pearls by Richelieu, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, February 1, 1950

Betty Threatt in soft afternoon dress with contrasting coat of Enka rayon by Larry Aldrich, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, January 1, 1951

Dovima in Moygashel Irish linen dress with attached scarf by Larry Aldrich, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, cover by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar UK, July 1951

Dovima in crêpe dress with a front pleated skirt spanned with a wear-high-or-low cummerbund by Larry Aldrich, hat by Lilly Daché, Vogue, July 1, 1952

Evelyn Tripp in rayon crêpe dress with deep cowl neckline by Larry Aldrich, feathered cap by Mr. John, olive green gloves by Shalimar, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, July 1952

Model in dinner dress of pure matte jersey the color of sand, with a softly draped cowl neckline by Larry Aldrich, diamond jewelry by Harry Winston, photo by Horst, October 15, 1952

Suzy Parker in black crepe dress with finely pleated skirt by Larry Aldrich, jewelry by Verdura, photo by Irving Penn, 1952

Barbara Mullen in a beige wool suit by Larry Aldrich, matched with tangerine Dawnelle gloves by De Pinna, photo by Clifford Coffin, 1953

Evelyn Tripp in red linen dress by Larry Aldrich and straw hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, April 1953

Model in white jacquard satin dress with mink cuffs by Larry Aldrich, magnificent diamond jewelry by Harry Winston, coiffure by Enrico Caruso, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, September 15, 1953

Nancy Berg in red jersey dinner dress with white mink scarf tucked neatly inside by Larry Aldrich, Vogue, October 1953

Joan Romano is wearing a printed linen turban and a full red fleece coat by Originala over a navy dress with a large collar in white pique by Larry Aldrich, photo by Richard Rutledge, 1954

Nancy Berg in lovely sheer crépe and Enka rayon dress by Larry Aldrich, hat by Mr. John, photo by Karen radkai, Harper's Bazaar, March 1954

Sunny Harnett in Glen Plaid tunic jacket over a pleated dress by Larry Aldrich, Gucci bag, diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels, Kislav gloves, photo by Clifford Coffin, Vogue, August 1, 1955

Joan Friedman in tweed outfit by Larry Aldrich, photo by Clifford Coffin, Vogue, March 1957

Dolores Hawkins in Moygashel linen tweed dress and jacket by Larry Aldrich, Sally Victor hat, beads by Hattie Carnegie, photo by William Bell, Vogue, May 1, 1959

Isabella Albonico in brown and white floral print dress of twilled silk with wide neckline and low back by Larry Aldrich, photo by Saul Leiter, Harper's Bazaar, March 1959

Ruth Neuman Derujinsky in ivory-white silk tussah dress, the sleeves flounce out and the waist is tied with matching ribbon by Larry Aldrich, organdy toque by Walter Florell, photo by Gleb Derujisnky, Harper's Bazaar, April 1959