Elegant Fashion Designs by Edward Molyneux From Between the 1940s and ’60s

Edward Molyneux (1891–1974) was a British fashion designer known for his elegant, understated couture. He founded his own fashion house in Paris in 1919 and became famous for his sophisticated tailoring and refined, feminine silhouettes.

Molyneux was admired for his ability to balance luxury with simplicity, and his designs were favored by high society and royalty. He played a significant role in shaping 20th-century fashion, particularly in the interwar period.

These vintage photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Edward Molyneux from between the 1940s and 1960s.

Model in wite chiffon chemise printed all over with a pale spray of flowers, the top is shaped into a brassiere and the skirt into a fan of pleats by Molyneux, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, December 1946

Model in a beautiful brocaded satin wedding dress shaped to look like the body of a butterfly, smooth in front and spread out in back like wings by Molyneux, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe at Versailles, Harper's Bazaar, October 1946

Model in fitted cloth coat with oversize pockets rounding the hip and an astrakhan collar by Molyneux, photo by John Rawlings, Paris, Vogue, October 15, 1946

Model in elegant wool houndstooth pleated day-dress by Molyneux, photo by Georges Saad, 1947

Model in pale grey satin evening gown by Molyneux, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1947

Bettina Graziani in red linen beach dress by Molyneux, sandals by Grégoire, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1948

Jeanne Klein wearing necklace and earrings of rubies and diamonds set in gold by Boucheron and pale pink taffeta dress by Molyneux, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1948

Lisa Fonssagrives in liquid sheath of orchid pink jersey with intricately folded bodice, worn with evening coat of same orchid shade bordered with shiny black skunk, by Molyneux, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, November 1948

Barbara Goalen and model in beautiful evening dresses of soft green and candy-pink jersey by Molyneux, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1949

Barbara Goalen in soft and feminine suit of pink-and-black check tweed with fluting to the sleeves and pockets with a pink shirt and cloche of smoothest straw by Molyneux, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1949

Barbara Mullen in dream bridal gown of fitted bodice in faille and voluminous tulle skirt of narrow and wide flounces trailing in back, by Molyneux, photo by Lillian Bassman in Paris, Harper's Bazaar, June 1949

Dorian Leigh in beautiful wedding gown with white faille bodice and skirt that is three tiers of enormous white chiffon rose petals by Molyneux, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, December 1949

Pat O'Reilly in evening dress of apricot chiffon with ruched bodice above a deep waistband, the long chiffon stole is collared with frosted mink by Molyneux, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1949

Shelagh Wilson in neat-waisted brown silk dress with plunging neckline, 3/4 sleeves and full skirt topped with a high-plumed pillbox, by Molyneux, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1949

Sylvie Hirsch in yellow and black check wool suit by Molyneux, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1949

Barbara Goalen in pale silvery faille dress with silver belt and black tulle petalled hat by Molyneux, photo by John French, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1950

Bettina Graziani in suit with asymmetric closure on belted longer jacket by Molyneux, photo by Richard Rutledge, Paris, 1950

Lisa Fonssagrives in black pebbled taffeta tunic dress over slit sheath skirt, breaking the blackness, an absinthe paper taffeta bow, by Molyneux, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue September 1, 1950

Shelagh Wilson in elegant oatmeal shantung dustcoat worn with pale brown straw cartwheel hat, by Molyneux, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1950

Sophie Malgat wears a rose quartz hat in amethyst panne velvet lined in black by Paulette, fur stole by Molyneux, photo by Henry Clarke, 1950

Wenda Parkinson in a Molyneux satin evening dress leaning on a 1907 Silver Ghost Rolls-Royce, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1950

Wenda Parkinson in caramel satin evening dress by Molyneux, photo by Norman Parkinson, 1950

Dorothea McGowan in brilliant orange wool coat with rounded shawl collar and double-breasted by Molyneux, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, March 1965

Hélène Delrieu in beige and black silk shantung ensemble with beige and black polka-dot lining, by Molyneux, photo by Georges Saad, 1965

Hélène Delrieu in pink and beige tweed suit by Molyneux, photo by Georges Saad, 1965

Mirella Petteni in tangerine wool guardsman's coat, double-breasted and full-skirted by Molyneux, coiffure by Alexandre, photo by William Klein, Vogue, March 1, 1965

Model in green wool suit worn over anthracite flannel blouse by Molyneux, gloves by Hermès, photo by Georges Saad, 1965

Model in yellow velvet Empire gown with its own short jacket, bodice and sleeves embroidered in jet, by Molyneux, photo by Jean Louis Guégan, 1965

Veruschka in fluid pink-coral jersey dress fluting the body, with wide décolletage and bared back by Molyneux, Caryatid coiffure by Alexandre, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, November 1, 1965

Celia Hammond in red, black and white check wool suit by Molyneux ready-to-wear collection, Adolfo cap, gaiters by Herbert Levine, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, February 1, 1966