Vintage Vogue – Vogue Archive Of Fashion

Vogue magazine put its entire 120-year history online. The VogueArchive is only available for a pretty pricey subscription, but for those of you who are skilled researchers, you will already know that you can access the VogueArchive Database at your local public or university library. It is available via ProQuest, which is a serials (magazines and journals) provider to libraries and research centres worldwide. I found it at both my local public library system as well as at the university in my town. To discover if your library carries it, the best thing to do is call the reference desk or check the online catalogue of holdings for your library. Make sure you differentiate from the physical back issues that the library may carry, you want the online database.

400,000 pages in full colour

It contains every issue and every page spanning the entire history of Vogue from 1892 to today. It includes the ads, features, photos and illustrations and has over 400,000 pages in full colour.

Of course, it’s an ideal tool for designers and buyers, but it’s also a wealth of inspiration for us fashionistas who are interested in fashion history and are looking for inspiration to create our own looks.

I must admit to wasting away an afternoon or two pouring over this Archive.

An important note for those might not be able to view the Archive (if your library is not a subscriber), remember that Pinterest is also an invaluable resource for vintage inspiration. A quick search for Vintage + Vogue reveals a treasure trove of pins from vintage Vogue mags as well.

 

Vogue Vol. 66 No. 12 (December 15, 1925)

The cover illustration is by Eduardo Benito, a fashion illustrator from the 1920s and 1930s, and it’s called Holiday Number.  It depicts the typical fringe flapper dress of the 1920s and also features a fur coat and red feather fan.

Another accessory of the well-dressed woman in the 20s was the equally well-dressed gentleman, complete with a tuxedo scarf and top hat.  Illustrator credit: Eduardo Benito.

Vogue Vol. 92 No. 2 (July 15, 1938)

From the article called “Black, White, Gold in the Mid-Seasons”, this design is from Jeanne Lanvin, a French designer who founded the Lanvin couture house in 1909. Vogue describes the dress in this way, “The foundation is a classic, statuesque dress of black crêpe—and a marble-white crêpe panel loops over the shoulder-straps, then under the belt, falling to the floor. Altogether, one of the most dramatic dresses at the Mid-Season Openings.” Photographer credit: André Durst.

Vogue Vol. 104 No. 4 (September 1, 1944)

A stunning cover from 1944 featuring a fox stole worn over a jersey suit and with a turban. Suit design from Traina-Norrell. Photographer credit: John Rawlings.

Vogue Vol. 115 No. 6 (April 1, 1950)

Black and white cover featuring a satin silk organdy coat-dress from American designer Larry Aldrich with a white silk twill scarf and a show-stopping hat from Lilly Dache.  Photographer credit: Irving Penn.