I recently picked up a Fall / Winter 1939-1940 Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog, highlighted by an entire chapter of beautiful vintage mannequins modeling ladies undergarments. As much as I love mannequins, (and some of you know I do), I still thought it was a little odd. So I flipped through a few other catalogs in my collection (some even older than this one), and while not seeing mannequins, it was apparent by all of the illustrated images of ladies in slips and nighties, that yes indeed, not many actual LIVE flesh and blood models were used for this sort of private fashion exhibition back in the day. Of course, it may not be true for all department store catalogs, but still interesting none the less, with many of the mannequins resembling famous Hollywood glamour queens and popular pin-ups of the era, not to mention the hairstyles, and alluring attitude.
Wow, hand drawn (or at least hand detailed) art over photography? That's plenty spooky. I 'm not one to accuse all dolls or clowns of being scary, but the super dark eyes on all these plastic chicks really does evoke something eerie or otherworldly. The Stepford Undies!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely my favorite catalog find in quite a while.
What, no thongs?
ReplyDeleteYeah, these are ... spooky ... as Mr. Cavin said. I have no idea how these were produced. Some kind of early photo effect? Strange lighting? Photographed through something? Drawn on?
Each face is this bizarre black eyed overly smooth scary monster. I assume this catalog was mostly for women; maybe there was a reason for it, but this is pure nightmare fuel. 3 down is going to eat your soul!
Maybe the catalogs had to deal with their own version of the Hayes code, or overzealous Postal Inspectors.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm not really on board with any of the scary "nightmare fuel" comments, as I'm not one who's ever found dolls or mannequins or anything to be even remotely frightening, (hence why I collect these things to begin with.) I will admit though that the added illustrative touches to their faces most certainly adds an "otherworldly" element to them though.
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