Pete Hawley (1916–1996) was a prominent American illustrator whose work was a staple of mid-20th-century pop culture. He was best known for his distinctive and instantly recognizable style, which often featured a bold, energetic, and playful aesthetic.
Hawley’s career spanned several decades and a variety of mediums. He created illustrations for a wide range of clients, including magazine covers, movie posters, album covers, and greeting cards. His commercial work was particularly prolific, with long-standing accounts for major companies like Jantzen (for which he created iconic swimsuit ads), Bell Telephone, Coca-Cola, and American Greeting Cards.
A key element of Hawley’s style was his ability to capture both sophisticated, “sexy” figures and adorable, charming children. He had a knack for creating compositions with bold lines and vibrant colors that exuded a sense of innocence and joy. Below is a collection of Jantzen advertisements from the 1950s, illustrated by Pete Hawley.
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1950 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1950 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1950 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1950 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1951 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1951 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1951 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, Vogue, February 1, 1951 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1952 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, Vogue, January 1, 1952 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1953 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1953 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, Harper's Bazaar, February 1953 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, Vogue, January 1953 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1954 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1954 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1954 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1955 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1955 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1955 |
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| Jantzen ad illustrated by Pete Hawley, 1955 |
When swimsuits actually flattered the female figure; unlike today when the 'barely there' strips of fabric have half a woman's backside hanging out!
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