Burda Italia - History of Fashion

Perhaps I am behind the times, but the Burda Italian website has started a "Fashion History" series on their website.  It currently has entries for 1956/1957, 1966, and 1975.  Hopefully the links will actually go to the Google-translated pages.  Clicking on the "Foto-Show" links take you to the pattern pictures.  In any case, my relationship with Burda is quite new and mostly untested (so far I have made the 02-2011-106 shirt from the magazine, but have plans for more Burda pattern usage in the near future), so I don't really have the perspective on the company that many long-time Burda users have.  However, looking at the retro-images, I can see why people seem to be, in general, fed up with the recent offerings from the pattern company.

Let me say right out that I am most decidedly NOT a vintage pattern collector/lover/snob.  I have a few vintage pattern re-prints from the Big4, but no actual legitimate vintage patterns.  And even then most of those were acquired with the plan to make them for someone else.  However, the images from the 1956/1957 Burda history of fashion might change that.

Love the details on the jacket!

Fabulous use of pleating.

Fur lined collars...

More details on the top and the skirt.

His & Hers coats - and I thought that was just a modern invention.  And I feel like I see many people wearing these sorts of coats today.  Perhaps this design was ahead of it's time.

Love this wedding gown.  It is so elegant.

Another wow wedding dress. Love how it can be strapless or have lace sleeves with a Grace Kelly feel.

As a side note, my favorite new Italian phase is "molto snob" which google translates as "very snobby."  I don't know why, but I find it very funny that they would use this to describe the cut of 1950's Christian Dior inspired "H-line" silhouette.

The styles from 1966 are less detailed, as was fitting with the styles of the time, but they still manage to have at least one interesting detail that elevates the design.

The poofy sleeve and swishy skirt are not like many of the other dresses featured, but still simple style lines.

Simple coat.  In-seam pockets are a nice detail.

Liking the black dress.

Ok, I wouldn't wear this, but the ruffle on the skirt is still interesting.  With the hair it makes me think of the film Apollo 13.

Liking the lace top.  Also liking the scalloped edges.

The 60's wedding dress.  Not loving it like the 50s designs, but the neckline details and simple shape are nice.

Typical silhouette but with interesting gathers at the bust and hips.

And then, of course there are the designs from 1975.  Well, I suppose it is better than 1985....

Short skirts in the 70s.  Actually, if Burda made this pattern today, I think people would make it.

Very simple coat.  Not my favorite, but like the use of color.

Dresses are still simple but now with more A-line skirts than those of the 60s.

Ah, the shirt dress.  Burda loves a good shirt dress.

Crazy colors.  Burda still likes crazy colors today.

Actually, I do like the neckline.  Just hate the colors and prints.

This screams 1970s vintage Barbie dress to me.

Actually cute.  I would make this if the pattern were printed in a Burda magazine today.

Had to include the menswear.  To think my dad dressed like this.... sigh.

And the ladies of course couldn't leave the bell-bottoms to the guys.

More blue bell bottoms.

Sparkly purple - yes, disco is on the way in.

This reminds me of my mother's wedding dress.

Ummmm, what?  Did people actually dress like this during the 70s?  Is this a costume?  I am confused.

Of course, when you compare this with some of Burda's more recent offerings, such as this...

 and this....

and this...

well, you sort of have to wonder what and if Burda stylists are thinking.  While the 1966 and 1975 shapes are fairly simple, especially when compared to the 1950s designs, they are far more detailed and complex than the 2011 Burda offerings.  Granted, these are just a few of the designs from Burda, and they do have many more fitted offerings in their magazine, but somehow I can't help but wonder if in the future we will think of 2011 as the year of the potato sack.