Frederick Starke: Elegant Glamour in Post-War British Fashion

Frederick Starke (1904–1988) was one of Britain’s most successful and influential wholesale couturiers of the mid-20th century. Born into a Jewish family with deep roots in the clothing trade, he established his own label, Frederick Starke Ltd., in 1933 and quickly rose to prominence after World War II.

Based in the prestigious Bruton Street in Mayfair, London, Starke became known for creating elegant, feminine, and impeccably tailored ready-to-wear garments that bridged the gap between haute couture and high-end ready-to-wear. His designs embodied the glamour of the 1950s and ’60s, featuring luxurious fabrics, flattering silhouettes, full skirts, and sophisticated cocktail dresses that appealed to both society women and celebrities.

A founding member of the Model House Group and later the Fashion House Group, Starke played a key role in elevating the standards and visibility of British wholesale couture. These exquisite photos capture the timeless elegance and impeccable craftsmanship of Frederick Starke’s designs, showcasing why he became one of Britain’s most respected couturiers of the post-war era.

Model in evening dress in the palest gold satin with a peplum by Frederick Starke, jewelry by cartier, the gloves are velvet, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1950

June Duncan in long full-fronted evening coat of red grosgrain that surprisingly opens down the back by Frederick Starke, photo by Henry Clarke at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1950

Part of Pat O'Reilly's very own trousseau, her going-away suit in mushroom pink with two fisher ties by Frederick Starke, violet parma hat by Erik, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1950

Pat O'Reilly in high-neck dress with buttoned bodice in pin-check tweed in red, brown and white by Frederick Starke, fur from Bradleys, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, August 1950

Anne Gunning in box jacket of reversible wool in white on one side and yellow the other over black wool dress with diagonal draped V-neck by Frederick Starke, white straw hat by Otto Lucas, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1951

Model in beautiful, brilliant blue satin dress by Frederick Starke at Samuels, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1951

Barbara Goalen in superb tweed dress by Frederick Starke, blonde felt hat by Otto Lucas, fisher tie by Albert Hart, jewelry by S.J. Phillips, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, August 1952

Barbara Miura in elegant town-suit by Frederick Starke, Vogue UK, February 1952

Bettina Graziani in little greatcoat of rough-haired coarl and brown herringbone tweed with batwing sleeves and brown velvet collar and headscarf and straight skirt by Frederick Starke, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1952

June Duncan in close-sleeved dress of ecru lace over a short dress of theunder-gray net by Frederick Starke, photo by Keith Ewart, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1952

Anne Gunning in bare-shouldered gown in dove-blue double satin with a rich blue-violet sash by Frederick Starke, photo by Richard Dormer at the Alahambra, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1953

Barbara Goalen in Sekers nylon dress by Frederick Starke, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1953

Della Oake in black-and-white ribby tweed jackey scooped low to show the neck of a black wool dress by Frederick Starke, hat by R.M. Hats, photo by Keith Ewart, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1953

Model in a fine gray wool crêpe, pleated, asymmetrically draped under a suède belt by Frederick Starke, black straw hat circled with ostrich by Otto Lucas, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1953

Myrtle Crawford in green and black tweed dress with dropped shoulders and fly-fastening by Frederick Starke, hat by R.M.Hats, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1953

Myrtle Crawford in short evening dress of black lace over gray faille, gathered into a full skirt with a bare back, a long stole falls from either shoulder and knots behind by Frederick Starke, photo by Keith Ewart, Harper's Bazaar UK, August 1953

Shelagh Wilson in three-piece suit of blue and brown herringbone wool by Frederick Starke, cloche by R.M.Hats, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1953

Susan Abraham in a smoke-gray jacket with stand-away collar over a princess dress by Frederick Starke, photo by Keith Ewart, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1953

Susan Hook in stone-colored lightweight tweed suit with separate circular stole by Frederick Starke, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1953

Marjorie Steele in short, coin-dotted organza dress under a full coat of paper taffeta by Frederick Starke, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1955

Model in navy-blue strapped sheath by Frederick Starke, tulle-wrapped toque by Otto Lucas, photo by Donald Silverstein, Vogue, April 1, 1956

Anne St. Marie in blue and white, silk wool tweed weave suit, the jacket is cape-backed over a lean skirt by Frederick Starke, beret by Otto Lucas, photo by Richard Dormer, New York City, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1957

Anne St. Marie in gray and white tweed suit with the sleeves cut in one to give a slope to the shoulders by Frederick Starke, hat by Otto Lucas, photo by Richard Dormer, NYC, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1957

Anne Gunning in flounced evening coat of ribbed silk in sapphire, gray and black floral print by Frederick Starke, veiled hat by Edward Harvane, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1958

Barbara Goalen in pale blue silk organza gown by Frederick Starke stands in her elegant Chester Square drawing room, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1958

Enid Boulting in wonderful short evening dress of black silk organza with bouffant skirt and frills of lace and bows by Frederick Starke, Bally shoes, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1958

Nena von Schlebrugge, suit by Frederick Starke, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, 1958

Simone d'Aillencourt in sequined dress by Frederick Starke, photo by Claude Virgin, Vogue, September 1958

Nena von Schlebrugge in black and white shepherd's check wool suit copied by Frederick Starke from a Nina Ricci design, hat by Jean Barthet, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1959

Ros Watkins in a suit by Frederick Starke, hat by Simone Mirman and bag by S.E. Norris, photo by Norman Parkinson for Vogue, 1959