Dina Merrill in the Latest Fashions, 1960

In 1960s, model and actress Dina Merrill posed for a series of photos taken by Milton H. Greene.  The photos are styled to duplicate the work of various artists.  Merrill wears some of the newest American fashions for Spring, 1960.

In the style of an odalisque painting by Henri Matisse, Merrill wears a silk lounging jumpsuit by Pembroke Squires.  Sold for $45 in 1960 (about $344 in today's dollar.)

Posing as one of George Petty's pin-up girls, Merrill wears a pink velvet evening coat with white fox fur collar by Arnold Scaasi.  Sold for $975 in 1960 (about $7,443 in today's dollar.)

As John Singer Sargent's Madame X, Merrill wears a simple black evening gown by Luis Estevez.  Sold for $125 in 1960 (about $954 in today's dollar.)

Merrill emulates Goya's Don Manuel Osorio de Zuniga wearing an orange wool pantsuit by Arnold Scaasi.  Sold for $275 in 1960 (about $2,099 in today's dollar.)

As a John Held, Jr. flapper girl, Merrill wears a striped knit tank top and pleated wool skirt by Jax.  Set sold for $95 in 1960 (about $725 in today's dollar.)

Manet's Nana is re-created here.  Merrill wears Jane Derby's white cotton dress adorned with lace and pink ribbons.  Sold for $365 in 1960 (about $2,786 in today's dollar.)

Luis Estevez - 1961, Part 2

What happens when you buy a multi-page ad in a fashion magazine? You get your dresses featured editorially, of course! In the same issue of Harper's Bazaar that featured the ad pages of Luis Estevez dresses in Mexico I showed you yesterday, the magazine features 2 full pages of Estevez dresses with a focus on lace for evening. You'll notice the same two-piece waistline inserts on two of these evening dresses that we saw on some of the day dresses yesterday.

At left, white lace dress with black silk bow at waist. Sold in 1961 for $100 (about $735 in today's dollar). Hat by Halston of Bergdorf Goodman (yes that Halston).
At right, black lace and white silk organza with a turquoise silk two-piece sash. Sold in 1961 for $125 (about $919 in today's dollar). Hat by Halston. Earrings by Miriam Haskell.

At left, strapless black re-embroidered lace with white silk organza and vibrant pink silk two-piece waistband. Sold in 1961 for $185 (about $1360 in today's dollar). Hat by Vincent Harmik. Earrings by Miriam Haskell.
At right, black lace one-shoulder dress with side draping. Sold in 1961 for $110 (about $808 in today's dollar). Hat by Emme. All gloves by Kislav.

I hope you've enjoyed our look at dresses by Luis Estevez this week. I always count him as one of my favorite designers. In a Life magazine article dated April 2, 1956, Luis Estevez said his wife was his inspiration for his feminine designs. "She likes her dresses to have sharp lines and to be as sexy as possible within the boundaries of good taste." I think he was still true to that mantra 5 years later.

Photos by Melvin Sokolsky for Harper's Bazaar.

Luis Estevez - 1961, Part 1

In 1961, Luis Estevez again teamed up with Mexican tourism in a multi-page ad for Harper's Bazaar. This time, however, the photos are in color, there are only 3 pages instead of 9, and the photos are all taken at one location, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.

At left, flare-skirted white cotton printed with pink roses and a linen inset waistband. Sold for $70 in 1961 (about $515 in today's dollar).
At right, white cotton sheath with yellow and orange floral print and inset linen waistband. Sold for $55 in 1961 (about $404 in today's dollar).

At left, black linen sheath with a basket-weave neckline. Sold for $90 in 1961 (about $661 in today's dollar).
At right, Estevez sews together silk scarves in a yellow daisy print with solid borders to make this sheath dress. Sold for $80 in 1961 (about $588 in today's dollar).

At left, pink silk bodice with softly flared white silk chiffon skirt. Sold for $125 in 1961 (about $928 in today's dollar).
Center, fitted sheath in beige and white ribbed cotton. Sold for $65 in 1961 (about $478 in today's dollar).
At right, magenta pink silk/linen sheath with dramatic slashed back. Sold for $80 in 1961 (about $588 in today's dollar).

All photos from Harper's Bazaar, 1961. No photographer credit given.

Luis Estevez - 1960, Part 1

In the late 1950s and early 60s, it was common for travel destinations and tour companies to do fashion spreads in magazines in a combined marketing effort. Photos would be taken of models wearing designer clothes in exotic locales. The clothing would enchant the magazine reader, while extolling the charm of the travel destination. The photos I'll show you today and tomorrow feature fashions of Luis Estevez in a multi-page advertisement for travel to Mexico from 1960.

Two models climb the pyramids of San Juan Teotihuacan.
At left, a black, white, and yellow cotton daisy print dress with Kabuki sleeves. Sold for $65.00 in 1960 (about $478.00 in today's dollar).
At right, a black silk/linen sheath with matching stole. Sold for $70.00 in 1960 (about $515.00 in today's dollar).

Cotton windowpane check is used for these two dresses, photographed at Acapulco's Gold Coast Beach. Note how the necklines are cut to follow the pattern of the fabric.
At left, black and white sheath. Sold for $50.00 in 1960 (about $368.00 in today's dollar).
At right, blue and white full skirted dress. Sold for $65.00 in 1960 (about $478.00 in today's dollar).

In Colonial Guanajuato, a Spanish silver mining town, the model wears a silk dress with giant black polka dots. A wide black patent belt narrows the waist under the floating topper. Sold for $70.00 in 1960 (about $515.00 in today's dollar).

At the cathedral of Guanajuato, the model wears a cotton zebra striped ensemble. The dress has a solid black bodice with cap sleeves. The jacket floats away from the fitted dress. Sold for $110.00 in 1960 (about $809.00 in today's dollar).

At the diving cliffs of Acapulco, a black and white silk sheath with Kabuki sleeves and a set-in belt. Sold for $65.00 in 1960 (about $478.00 in today's dollar).

Tomorrow, evening fashions by Estevez from the same photo shoot.

All photos by William Ward for a multi-page advertisement that appeared in Harper's Bazaar, 1960.

Luis Estevez

In a Life magazine article dated April 2, 1956, designer Luis Estevez said his wife was his inspiration for his feminine designs. "She likes her dresses to have sharp lines and to be as sexy as possible within the boundaries of good taste."

I wish I could have met Mrs. Estevez and perused her closet. I like a woman who knows how to look sexy without being blatant. And another thing I wish? I wish my husband could design dresses like this early 1960's Estevez!

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .