Beautiful Fashion Designs by Jo Copeland in the 1950s

Jo Copeland, although somewhat unsung today, was a well-known ready-to-wear designer who shared a label with Pattullo. Jo Copeland began drawing fashion sketches and selling them to Pattullo Modes in the 1920s. After working there full time for several years, she quit to start her own business in 1930. Four years later she returned to Pattullo. By 1938 she was a partner there.

Fashion designs by Jo Copeland in the 1950s

Jo Copeland worked with a variety of silhouettes in her career, from narrow to full, but always feminine. Because of her innovation and talent, her designs were widely copied. She designed her beautifully constructed clothing directly on the figure rather than using toiles. Such quality construction required high prices.

A wizard of both cut and detail, Jo Copeland continued her work from the 1940s into the 1960s. She closed the house in 1972. Take a look at these vintage photos to see portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Jo Copeland in the 1950s.

Barbara Mullen in bolero-suit with linen blouse by Jo Copeland-Pattullo for Saks Fifth Avenue, photo by George Platt Lynes, Vogue, February 15, 1950

Dovima in shimmering Swiss faille after-dark dress by Patullo-Jo Copeland for Wm.H.Block Co., Harper's Bazaar, September 1950

Jean Patchett in suit featuring asymmetrical collar and peplum by Patullo-Jo Copeland, Harper's Bazaar, January 1950

Sophie Malgat in cocktail dress of rich satin brocade using Celanese yarn by Jo Copeland-Pattullo, Vogue, October 1, 1950

Gyongyi Armstrong in short dinner dress of mimosa yellow lace overlaid on matching silk taffeta by Jo Copeland, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, April 1951

Model in mocha silk lorganza dress with rhinestone buttons, white lorganza lines the ruffled sleeves by Jo Copeland, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1951

Sunny Harnett in lovely silk shantung dress accented with black by Patullo-Jo Copeland for Bonwit Teller, Vogue, November 15, 1951

Barbara Mullen in crêpe and satin dress with floating paniers by Jo Copeland of Patullo, photo by Toni Frissell, Washington D.C., Harper's Bazaar, September 1952

Barbara Mullen in lovely lace trimmed suit by Patullo-Jo Copeland, Vogue, February 15, 1952

Janet Randy in white silk chiffon dress, the halter shirred and embroidered with blue flowers by Jo Copeland, photo by Clifford Coffin, Vogue, January 1, 1952

Jean Patchett in shimmering silk satin dress the skirt in tiny pleats, the bodice adorned with pearls by Jo Copeland, cap by Hattie Carnegie, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, September 1952

Lisa Fonssagrives in close-fitting black crêpe sheath with an upstanding collar and skirt panel both in black taffeta by Jo Copeland, rhinestone earrings by Kramer, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, July 1, 1952

Model in a ribbed silk ottoman coat with full skirt by Jo Copeland, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, March 1952

Sunny Harnett in Forstmann tissue wool jacket and silk taffeta skirt, jacket has white piqué collar and cuffs by Jo Copeland, hat by Mr. John, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, January 1, 1952

Barbara Mullen in cocktail dress of shiny taffeta against matte crêpe by Jo Copeland of Patullo, photo by Toni Frissell in Washington D.C., Harper's Bazaar, February 1953

Dovima in portrait dress by Jo Copeland of Pattullo for Sakowitz, Vogue, February 1, 1953

Betsy Pickering in figure-defining silk satin dress, panier framed by Jo Copeland-Patullo, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, October 1954

Cherry Nelms in straight 3/4 length coat with its own skirt of Forstmann mulberry-and-black chiffon wool tweed by Pattullo-Jo Copeland, hat by John-Frederics, bag by Coronet, photo by Frances McLaughlin, Vogue, August 15, 1954

Dovima in cloud blue silk surah dress by Jo Copeland of Patullo, photo by Toni Frissell, Harper's Bazaar, February 1954

Evelyn Tripp in gray flannel sheath wrapped in gray and white satin cummerbund by Jo Copeland, photo by Toni Frissell in Washington D.C., Harper's Bazaar, September 1954

Linda Harper in white satin dress with a hint of sleeve and single red rose in the back by Jo Copeland, photo by Gleb Derujinsky at Havana's Plaza de la Catedral, Harper's Bazaar, January 1954

Barbara Mullen in silk and wool suit with full skirt by Jo Copeland of Patullo, photo by Tonis Frissell, Washington D.C., Harper's Bazaar, February 1955

Dovima in strapless satin sheath with contrasting stole by Jo Copeland of Pattullo for Sakowitz, Harper's Bazaar, October 1955

Evelyn Tripp in elegant dark gray flannel suit with ruby velvet collar by Patullo-Jo Copeland at Bonwit Teller, Vogue, August 15, 1955

Anne St. Marie in charcoal gray town suit of Italian silk and tweed worn over cowled white chiffon blouse by Jo Copeland of Patullo, Coblentz bag, photo by Frances McLaughlin, Vogue, February 1, 1956

Barbara Mullen in flowing silk crêpe collared with organza and adorned with poppies by Jo Copeland of Patullo, photo by Toni Frissell, Vogue, February 1, 1956

Carmen Dell' Orefice in pale sea-green organdie gown printed with water lillies and wound high with white satin sash by Jo Copeland, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, January 1956

Model in black silk chiffon dress drawn into a snug bodice and twisted into a halter by Pattullo-Jo Copeland, black opera pumps by Customcraft, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, November 1, 1956

Model in dress of rosy-red wool, its overblouse bloused and buttoned in brass over a skirt with its own slip top by Jo Copeland, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, September 1956

Anne St. Marie in imported silk brocade dress with side panel by Pattullo-Jo Copeland, photo by Toni Frissell, Washington D.C., Vogue, October 1, 1957

Dovima in gray worsted sheath with capelet and white organdy collar by Jo Copeland, photo by Toni Frissell, Washington D.C., Harper's Bazaar, February 1957

Jessica Ford in shimmering pale blue satin dress, bodice is appliqued with blue and silver lace, the skirt petaled twice dipping low in back, by Pattullo-Jo Copeland, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, October 1957

Suzy Parker in creamy silk printed dress banded in velvet by Jo Copeland, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, January 1957

Betsy Pickering in floral print, one-shoulder gown by Jo Copeland-Patullo, Chemstrand nylon ad, Vogue, February 1, 1958

Evelyn Tripp in mushroom-colored corduroy suit with raccoon collar worn with amber floral-print satin blouse by Jo Copeland of Patullo, jewelry by Verdura, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, October 15, 1958

Iris Bianchi in a watery green iridescent wool suit with patch-pocket jacket and scarfed in chiffon, by Jo Copeland-Pattullo, roughty straw cartwheel by Dior-New York, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, February 1958

Anne St. Marie in late day dress of black textured silk with bertha in lieu of sleeves by Jo Copeland of Patullo, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, April 15, 1959

Betsy Pickering in silk faille dress, criss-crossed bowed with white piqué accent by Jo Copeland, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, February 1959

Model in dress by Patullo-Jo Copeland, photo by Saul Leiter, Harper's Bazaar, March 1959

Model in gray English wool flannel suit with gray and white checked collar and cuffs by Jo Copeland-Pattullo, satin hat with bow by Sally Victor, alligator handbag by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, December 1, 1959