While pursuing an acting career, Pennsylvania native Anne Fogarty took a job as a model at Harvey Berin, a well-known Seventh Avenue dress maker. Although acting was her first love, the in-house designers trained Anne and she later attended design school in the evenings. She continued to model and design for various companies and in 1950, took a job at Margot Dresses, a junior label. Here she developed a signature look: the full-skirted silhouette. In 1957, she went on to design for Saks Fifth Avenue and also wrote a book, Wife Dressing. She established her eponymous line in 1962, transitioning into A-line silhouettes and later peasant styles and maxis. She passed away in 1980.
Pictured above is an early 1960s coat-dress in elegant raw silk, with a fitted waist, flared skirt and textural knotted buttons. Visit 1stdibs for more information.
Tags: Anne Fogarty, the way we wore, vintage dresses, vintage fashion