After the war-time austerity of the 1940s, the Festival of Britain in 1951 marked a new era of looking forward to a brighter future. With a primary site on the South Bank of the Thames and other sites throughout England, this was an event that was said to be "tonic for the nation." Structures such as the Royal Festival Hall and the ultra-thin Skylon evoked a definitively modernist sensibility and many visitors say their very first television.
This was a time when the necessarily severe fashions of the 40's had just begun to evolve into a more glamorous, feminine look. In 1947 Christian Dior took the fashion world by storm when he presented a 'New Look' consisting of a fitted jacket with a full, mid-calf length skirt. The jacket emphasized a fashionably small waist and the skirt required yards of fabric, shocking after the careful rationing of the war. Meanwhile, stars such as Audrey Hepburn with her plain black sweaters and gold flats became fashion icons.
This was the setting into which the 1951 Festival of Britain came; a time of new modernism and the beginnings of movement toward the feminine and glamorous in the fashion world. Visitors could see an array of textiles with bold, colourful prints on cotton, linen, or parachute silk. Their artistic, modern design was a whisper of things to come. Sadly though, the textiles were mostly destined for export as the British government struggled to rebuild a war-torn country. It was a a time of political and economic uncertainty, yet women were ready for something more than bland, severe clothing. This event would usher in the late 1950s and the 1960s, with all of the flair and extravagance that was to come.
 Ceil Chapman style black tulip 1950s vintage cocktail dress  £39.99
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 VINTAGE 1950S LEATHER PEEPTOE SHOES SZ 4 1/2 £.99
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 VTG ORIGINAL 1950s BERKERTEX MIDI DAY DRESS FULL SKIRT- Small £40.00
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 Vintage retro 1950s red velvet evening dress vtg 50s - UK10 £59.49
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 ORIGINAL 1950'S CREAM LACE WEDDING/BALLGOWN £29.99
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 Vintage retro 1950s cotton day dress casual 50s vtg - UK12 £27.99
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 Rare Vintage retro 1950s cotton maxi dress vtg 50s - UK12 £48.99
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 Vintage retro 1950s green satin evening dress vtg 50s - UK10 £61.59
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 Vintage 1950’s style waspie waist elastic belt.White"ML £2.99
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 1950s style Blue Polka Dot swing dress "UK 14 £18.01
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 1950s style Red Polka Dot swing dress "UK 12 £21.38
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 1950s style Black Pin-up Polka Dot swing dress "UK 16 £27.00
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 1950s style Blue Polka Dot swing dress "UK 12 £14.00
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 Vintage1950’s style waspie waist elastic belt. Black"ML £2.99
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