John Cavanagh (1914–2003) was a prominent Irish couturier based in London, celebrated for his elegant designs throughout the 1950s and ’60s. After working for established houses like Edward Molyneux and later as a design assistant for Pierre Balmain in Paris, he opened his own couture house in London in 1952.
Cavanagh was known for a style that reflected “Parisian chic”, characterized by elegant tailoring, a sense of colour, and a purity of line and form. His high standards and quality of design quickly attracted high-profile clientele. He became particularly famous for designing two major British Royal wedding dresses: for the Duchess of Kent in 1961 and for Princess Alexandra in 1963.
A member of the Incorporated Society of London Fashion Designers (IncSoc), Cavanagh cemented his place as one of the leading names in British post-war haute couture.
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| Anne Gunning in rainproof coat in salt-white grosgrain by John Cavanagh, hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1952 |
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| Fiona Campbell-Walter in cowrie-pink, silk satin gown embroidered with jeweled starfish by John Cavanagh, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1952 |
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| Anne Gunning in white silk grosgrain ball gown falling into un-pressed pleats by John Cavanagh, white fox cape-stole by National Fur Co., photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, June 1953 |
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| Margaret Phillips in needle-narrow suit in brown-and-white tweed flecked with blue and green by John Cavanagh, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, September 1, 1953 |
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| Shelagh Wilson in cocoa brown wool suit with soft velvet collar and cuffs by John Cavanagh, velours hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1953 |
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| Susan Abraham in evening ensemble by John Cavanagh, photo by John French, 1954 |
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| Dovima in guipure lace gown by John Cavanagh, photo by Richard Avedon, La Grande Cascade, Paris, 1955 |
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| Model in unusual print Sudan cotton suit by John Cavanagh, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1956 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in slim worsted suit, the jacket clings to the hips but loose over the neck and waist by John Cavanagh, circle of crushed tulle by Simone Mirman, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1956 |
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| Susan Abraham in beautiful ball gown of bluebells embroidered on white silk organdie, the sleeves are bands of green velvet by John Cavanagh, photo by Don Silverstein, Vogue, March 15, 1956 |
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| Susan Abraham in John Cavanagh's strapless evening gown, photo John French, London, Spring 1957 |
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| Model in narrow front draped dress with loose jacket by John Cavanagh, Otto Lucas hat, Bally shoes, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1958 |
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| Jennifer Hocking in beautiful black velvet gown, the elongated bodice has a high straight neckline and is tied at the hip with moiré bow by John Cavanagh, photo by Michael Williams, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1960 |
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| Jennifer Hocking in beige-and-brown herringbone tweed suit, with diagonal pockets high on the jacket by John Cavanagh, brown velour hat by Reed Crawford, photo by Michael Williams, Harper's Bazaar, October 1960 |
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| Jennifer Hocking in dark gray Prince of Wales check coat, falling straight in front and flaring out in back by John Cavanagh, velvet hat by Reed Crawford, photo by Michael Williams, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1960 |
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| Dorothea McGowan in dress by John Cavanagh, photo by William Klein, Baalbek, Lebanon, 1961 |
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| Model in pale coral tweed suit, the skirt gored and flared, jacket curved in front and dipped and flared in back by John Cavanagh, trilby by Reed Crawford, photo by Michael Williams, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1961 |
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| Jean Shrimpton in deep turquoise tweed suit, long narrow jacket has high-riding collar that buttons over small banded neckline by John Cavanagh, cloche by Reed Crawford, photo by Michael Williams, Harper's Bazaar UK, Sept. 1962 |
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| John Cavanagh and model wearing his immaculately tailored cream wool coat with contrasting black cuffs, photo by John French, 1962 |
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| Sue Murray wearing ostrich feathers tied with a pink satin bow by Otto Lucas, black chiffon dress by John Cavanagh, diamond bracelet by Kutchinsky, photo by David Bailey, Vogue UK, December 1964 |
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| Ina Balke in white wool suit with longer jacket collared in nutria by John Cavahagh, jersey turban by Reed Crawford, photo by Jeanloup Sieff, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1965 |
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| Marie Lise Gres in a fine wool pleated skirt and top of navy edged in white by John Cavanagh, navy straw cloche by Reed Crawford, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, 1965 |
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| Celia Hammond in swilrling chiffon print of pink and red by John Cavanagh, photo by David Bailey, Vogue UK, April 15, 1966 |
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| Jill Kennington in black-and-white silk surah touched with turquoise, two-piece dress by John Cavanagh Ready to Wear, hair by Alain at René, photo by Bill King, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1966 |
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| Merle Lynn in glamorous shirtdress in almond pink chiffon smothered with opalescent sequins and belted with soft kid by John Cavanagh, photo by Bill King, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1966 |
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| Editha Dussler in white linen, gilt-buttoned jacket with aflared side-pleated skirt by John Cavanagh Ready-to-Wear, photo by Bill King, Jamaica, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1967 |
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| Model in sheer slender chiffon over a black crepe slip held at the waist by a wide velvet belt by John Cavanagh, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue UK, 1967 |
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| Model in short-sleeved dress and jacket in smooth navy, black and white check worsted from John Cavanagh Boutique, white felt trilby by Otto Lucas, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, July/August 1968 |
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