Esther M. Larson: A Master of Mid-Century Fashion Illustration

Esther M. Larson (1904–1998) was a prominent American fashion illustrator whose career spanned over five decades. She was widely recognized for her elegant and expressive illustrations created for high-fashion magazines and department store campaigns.

Larson contributed to major publications such as Vogue and illustrated catalog ads for prestigious retailers like Bergdorf Goodman. Her style exemplified mid-20th-century fashion illustration: refined, glamorous, and with a strong sense of line and form.

Beyond her illustration work, Larson had a diverse set of interests: she restored old New England houses, collected American antiques, and bred Airedale terriers. She passed away at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most respected fashion artists of her era.

Elegant theater suit in garnet silk and rayon velvet, whisper-striped in black, the velvet dress has flower clusters in garnet at the neck, at Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Harper's Bazaar, September 1950

A fashionable close-fitting suit of navy wool worsted, the collar of cardinal-red tie silk outlined with navy passementerie at Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, March 1, 1951

Suit by Bellciano illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Harper's Bazaar, January 1951

A navy town dress in imported French tissue accented with white piqué by Nicol of Sweden for Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, February 1, 1952

Spring suit in menswear fabric in haze blue or gray exclusively at Bergdrof Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Harper's Bazaar U.S., February 1952

A nutmeg-brown wool suit, the jacket collared and pocketed with black-dyed Alaska fur sealskin by Leslie Morris for Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, September 15, 1954

Evening gown of clouds of black net with little shrug of satin mauve by Leslie Morris for Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Harper's Bazaar, October 1954

Chamois-colored wool suit with chamois-dotted black silk twill blouse by Leslie Morris, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, March 15, 1955

City suit by Hannah Troy, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, February 1, 1955

A black sheer wool dress with a separate sheath underskirt by Hannah Troy, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Harper's Bazaar, September 1956

A black silk velvet, bishop bustle ball gown by Bernard Newman for Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, November 1, 1956

A black wool dress under a slim box jacket sunburst pleated in back and lined in pink printed pongee by Leslie Morris at Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, March 15, 1956

Black velvet evening dress with jet black jet beading and black satin ribboning by Leslie Morris, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, September 15, 1956

Dress and jacket of blue and black chiffon wool tweed with black jersey Empire bodice by Hannah Troy, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, September 15, 1956

Beautiful evening gown by Leslie Morris illustrated by Esther M. Larson for Bergdorf Goodman, Harper's Bazaar, October 1957

Beige and black herringbone silk tweed suit edged in black braid by Leslie Morris for Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, March 15, 1957

Gown by Helga illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, September 1, 1957

A beige Vicuna jacket garnished with velvet and braid over a high-waisted black wool dress by Leslie Morris, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, September 15, 1958

Silk chiffon dress with side floating panel by Mollie Parnis for Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, March 1, 1959

Slim black and white herringbone wool dress and semi-belted jacket by Leslie Morris for Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, September 15, 1959

Turquoise wool and silk costume by Leslie Morris for Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by Esther M. Larson, Vogue, March 15, 1959