Extravagant English Catwalk Show (1956) | Vintage Fashions

This quintissentially English and quite eccentric fashion show almost looks like a night at the opera. This glamorous catwalk show features designs by John Cavanagh, Owen Hartnell, Charles Creed, Digby Moron, Hardy Amies, Cossack, Mattli and Michael Sherard.
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BRITISH PATHÉ'S STORY
Before television, people came to movie theatres to watch the news. British Pathé was at the forefront of cinematic journalism, blending information with entertainment to popular effect. Over the course of a century, it documented everything from major armed conflicts and seismic political crises to the curious hobbies and eccentric lives of ordinary people. If it happened, British Pathé filmed it.
Now considered to be the finest newsreel archive in the world, British Pathé is a treasure trove of 85,000 films unrivalled in their historical and cultural significance.
Film ID: 55.15

[@anitaproq3528]

what a gesture at 2:18 when a model takes off her jacket holding her muff under the left hand and then takes the jacket and muff into the right palm reaching through her back. I watched it several times thought she let it fall. what a trick

[@OmarLuna1981]

And the quick small short steps complete the picture of a finest, elegant model.

[@markusmulder_]

Yes! That was perfection 🤩

[@hermajesty52]

And the beautiful lining on that jacket ….sigh……

[@karlbroderickmusic]

In order pics, even teens look older as u were taken more seriously and respected as an adult and everything was aimed at people who could become a customer, older people.Thats why the models aren't teenagers.

[@victoriaaguilar266]

First off the models were beautiful and smiled, they were of all ages and glided down runway with grace and beauty. Each one knew how to walk and move in each garment they modeled. . Their makeup and hair were beautifully done, sleek and fashionable. The fashion was exquisite and breathtaking. The models today clog down the run way similar to Jethro, in unfinished rags they model which is suppose to pass for fashion. They wear a scowl on their face, their hair and makeup is ridiculously done and they are anything but beautiful or graceful. Trashy is the new look, I will take these garments and this fashion show, over anything that is strutted out there today and called fashion.

[@lesleyklotz5149]

Could not agree more!

[@watercolourferns]

I was with you up till you said today's models aren't beautiful. They are just as beautiful, the problem is how they make them up with looks that are supposed to draw attention to the "garments" but really don't.

[@Estela_2002]

Agreed!!!

[@JoJo-fan-right-here]

It went from angels gracing us with their presence, to people who look as if they’ve walked right out of the Capitol from The Hunger Games.

[@dawnelder9046]

The models today don't wear clothing. They wear freak costumes. Hard too look good .

[@j9keystone806]

I clutched my pearls while watching this.

[@quester09]

Jean Waterhouse I reached for my lorgnette.

[@missavfree]

I'd happily wear most of those beautiful outfits.... stunning!

[@alinariz7883]

They're all so beautiful and elegant but the last gown the white one is just spectacular!!

[@rach2909]

I know! I'm absolutely fawning over that last gown even in 2021!😱😱😱

[@molossergirl2]

Wonderful, a bygone era that was so elegant. I was born in 1950 and I still have vivid memories of my mother making me a dirndl skirt which I loved so much. The material was cotton and design beautiful pale apricot roses, I loved it so much. I grew up wearing kitten heels, chisel toed shoes, pencil skirts, twin-sets and shift dresses. I love the 50's fashion!

[@kat35lulu88]

And I bet you were both elegant and cute!!!!!

[@wildflowerwind6941]

A time when the world was more elegant. Just lovely.

[@MrEjidorie]

I was born in Japan in 1956 when this English Catwalk Show was shot. This footage shows how people looked like and felt about beauty at that time. Models` beauty transcends the times indeed. But one thing I feel sad is that many beautiful models in this film are probably gone a long time ago.

[@patriciaoreilly8907]

Time & Tide Wait for no man .

[@ACS402010]

I was born in the wrong era. Love these outfits so much!

[@jelly.212]

Cringe

[@rachelmariasnow88]

Me too . I love winters, I get to dress classier and wear beautiful coats. I absolutely love it.

[@exposingcelebs3357]

Same thing here

[@alantes]

You can still find outfits like these today.

[@karolinakulig2664]

Kobieta wyglądała jak kobieta

[@scoshi6592]

I love the narrator’s voice

[@thepearlatelier4256]

how supremely elegant, from the models to the cut and design of the clothes, a far cry from today! thanks goodness it is recorded for posterity.

[@laneyh2121]

The yellow gown is stunning. And wool chiffon is not heavy.

[@elderlypoodle9181]

Jilker Conway Yes !!! The yellow tipped in sable ?? My favorite but I would settle for faux fur now. It was the best gown in the show.

[@fredjohn3210]

Hello

[@fredjohn3210]

How are you doing and how is the weather condition over there??

[@mellie4174]

I've never even heard of wool chiffon! I had no idea it could be made from wool

[@lyricpdx]

I didn't find this pompous at all. I thought it was lovely! Much more natural than the shows of today...now there's pompous!!!!

[@OmarLuna1981]

You have no idea of what pompous means. You were never there.

[@susanschaefer325]

I don't know, he demonstrated it pretty well.

[@susanbrogan2517]

At least there clothes that are wearable and not silly. Todays fashion shows are to shock you.

[@dorotheasclosetvintage2005]

Adore the "Dear Watson"!

[@ellielouise6247]

Absolutely adore the white gown at the end

[@deniseseespots1329]

Hard to believe it is wool

[@indiechick22]

That Hartnell dress with the fox stole is GORGEOUS.

[@anm0086]

As he describes the details of each dress and type of fabric, the haute couture of today seems lazy and uninspired. Think about all the effort and tailoring that goes into making that slit back on the one dress that balloons out in the back yet looks very tailored and sleek in the front. So elegant

[@caligulalonghbottom2629]

details such as that are very much frequented on todays high fashion. look at Dior which continues to do versions of the new look, Chanel, Giambattista Valli, Valentino, McQueen, etc all make beautiful and highly detailed clothes. You won't find clothes like that at Walmart or Target or even in a catalogue (which probably doesn't exist now...) because most modern people aren't willing to pay for quality fashion, they want it quick, comfortable and cheap. Don't blame the designers because believe me, they would like you to pay for their couture. Keep in mind, everyday women weren't wearing couture Dior and Norman Hartnell in the 1950s...they were wearing lesser quality, cheaper and more simple clothing, albeit a more 'ladylike' design. Fashion was almost uniform like prior to the 70s. Fashion 'rules' were observed. Everyone wore variations of Chanel or Dior as those were the silhouettes of the time. Now, you can wear anything you like. If you want to dress in 1950s style, there are plenty of fashion retailers which can accommodate you...but its going to cost you.

[@eveolg324]

So classic, stylish and elegant - with gloves the necessary accessory.

[@SusanRoseArt]

Pompous? Not really, it's how it was done back then ;) The clothes are beautifully cut and very feminine. The yellow dress is gorgeous. :)

[@fredjohn3210]

Hello

[@fredjohn3210]

How are you doing and how is the weather condition over there??

[@SusanRoseArt]

All good here and at last the leaves are on the trees and the sun is shining 😊

[@fredjohn3210]

@@SusanRoseArt so where are you from?

[@GrilledChickenRamyun]

I love how fancy and elegant people were back then compare to today we are so lazy 😂nothing but hoodie and shorts

[@cathiiannii]

Amazing elegance and deportment that you never see today!

[@ponyabouttown4981]

They take such tiny steps!

[@thanaf1045]

Dear Watson was a show stopper. I would wear every single one of these beautiful creations

[@EricLehner]

I remember these days first-hand. How we have become a slob culture baffles me.

[@vickytaspartan]

The clothes are so gorgeous and elegant! 😍

[@lizzykay9912]

I really admirre how previous generations used models with more than one size/ shape/ look. It makes the clothes look like something wearable. Also the presenter called the models; mannequins! How cool.

[@kaylap3430]

I absolutely love most of these dresses. Thank you for posting this show

[@lindabrown7374]

Ah, the fashions of 1956 - the year I was born!

[@fredjohn3210]

Hello

[@fredjohn3210]

How are you doing and how is the weather condition over there??

[@tinamerrill2484]

I loved all the fashions, but that last gown is GORGEOUS!!!

[@superhuman6906]

5:40 the dress is so gorgeous

[@hejminvan]

The two last ones are so beautiful!!

[@elaineglendinning9297]

This is the second time I have watched this video in the last few months,and although I was only four years at the time of the fashion show I still yearn for the elegance and graceful style of that time. Much better than today. I think Hollywood glamour and stars of that era are better than today's actors.

[@AtticAnatomy]

I LOvE THIS CHANNEL! I could watch it all day!

[@elderlypoodle9181]

Attic Anatomy I practically have all day !!!! 😄

[@fredjohn3210]

Hello

[@fredjohn3210]

How are you doing and how is the weather condition over there??

[@mariammohammed1637]

absolutely lovely

[@guillermoisamit7784]

Beautiful dress

[@kitetales]

I love the voice of the announcer.

[@lisastgeorge428]

Love every single outfit. The yellow gown…I want it! Look at these elegant beautiful clothes and then go watch some of the horrible designers looks of today….not all but some make clothes that make me wonder who would wear them.

[@maleficentdiva]

the last dress the ball gown was beautiful!

[@elaineglendinning9297]

Beautiful clothes and models. More inspiring than some fashion shows today. I watched a video showing a Chanel show this year and the models wore waders. Not something I intend to copy but I would try and copy some ideas from this show such as gloves, court shoes and poise.

[@XOSiren18XO]

Back when models weren't given clothes that made them look half naked...

[@denisadellinger4543]

A total different type of model. Those outfits were all unique. I loved the dress with the buttons up the back. I was born in the fifties. I miss the hat being a necessity. One must wear a hat today to shade your face from the sun.

[@emilymortex]

i want to permanently exist within this video.

[@katemivanosch1480]

The last dress is freaking beautiful

[@helencavanagh8119]

I'm proud to say John Cavanagh was my second cousin :)

[@greggnystrom8864]

how cool! I LOVE the older model wearing his red ensemble!

[@sweetpea2839]

Loved the grey suit Scarb1 . I so loved the back!

[@kat35lulu88]

And there were numerous occasions to wear these lovely creations. Truly a long gone era here briefly.

[@Lily-ok9lp]

I love the aesthetics of the past as much as anyone but nothing is stopping you from making or buying something beautiful and wearing it to somewhere nice there’s no need to romanticise an era known for bigotry.

[@mr.anta_an5919]

POMPOUS ! I REALLY DON'T THINK SO. THE BRITISH, IN THIS MATTER ARE ALWAYS A QUIET SORT. I THINK IT WAS RATHER NICE. I WANT EVERYTHING 😉😆.💜

[@hermajesty52]

That yellow hostess dress around 5:00 ♥️♥️♥️. And the next final gown…. Perfection. Back when femininity meant modesty and beauty. Oh….what an ugly crass world we live in now…😢

[@herrbrucvald6376]

Today's shows are too fast. I like the 1950's Paris couture house shows where the models slowly walked through small in-house crowds and patrons could really 'touch' the clothes with their eyes....

[@herrbrucvald6376]

+IyaEarthseeds The woman in red @ 4:00 is incredibly chic..... (I really wish Elie Saab or someone would stage a show like this with the same model movements in a smaller venue.....)

[@edinagaspar722]

That last gown....wow 😍😍😍😍

[@RubyOpheliaQuinn]

I loved the second dress and the last one. Absolutely stunning!

[@aliarsenal6136]

WOW. Those outfits is so elegant.

[@hermajesty52]

No exaggerated hip thrusts or strange foot crossovers … just a naturally charming feminine walk. Class!

[@dannsherstone1037]

Timeless fashion - you could wear any of these today.

[@Pinky-kb2hd]

Women dressed so beautiful and feminine back then....Love it!!!❤

[@veerleke]

the muff of beaver X)

[@victoriabiel5861]

It's so nice to see actual women modelling and not sixteen year olds. There used to be grace, charm, and elegance-powerful characteristics that are woefully lacking in today's slum culture. It's time for the tide to turn.

[@Mintzik]

The City of London (no just London, a technically separate entity with a different mayor and the one most people are familiar with) is still this posh - the Lord Mayor dresses like an 18th century throwback for formal occasions. It's a very exclusive club of ultra-rich people.

[@subbstevie]

love watching fashion shows my mom and sis were models of the 50-60 era

[@paulettenicely]

Just beautiful

[@wildflowerwind6941]

Loved them all but the last dress as a wedding dress would be stunning worn today.

[@oldschoolcollodion]

Wow the red! 😲

[@patriciaoreilly8907]

Hartnell . Superb Designer.

[@abelalieljaouahiry560]

very nice i couldnt feel it was so old the outfits i see still wearable today

[@or-ren]

I want it so badly....pretty lady pretty dress..so sweet beautiful..wish i born that time..

[@julzlove8591]

How lovely!

[@acastrohowell]

Loved the yellow

[@Ma_Pooh]

What beautiful dresses!!! Bravo!!!!

[@oanhsanford7241]

Beautiful dresses love it

[@mohammedali-zr1zb]

Wonderful

[@annrogers8129]

Such beautiful clothes. A more elegant and refined time. Today’s fashion designers appear to actively hate women. Would not be caught dead in today’s couture....

[@granttommy8257]

way too much praise for one person haha , but she's really beautiful....

[@granttommy8257]

Are you a fashion stylist friend?

[@ladypinkbagsetc.9116]

❤❤❤Absolutely Gorgeous!

[@niameanspurpose]

ahhhh the days when elegance, grace and beauty...of all ages were in style.❤

[@yseniaterrazas7799]

Thoughs last 2 were pritty cool :)

[@elderlypoodle9181]

I LOVE the mushroom Chiffon 😘

[@acastrohowell]

Class

[@daniellemorris7774]

Elegant

[@massimosquecco203]

Thumbs up for the scarab line!

[@nurmaybooba]

lovely and right now I would lik some wool fabric....winter is cold!

[@HarleyQuinn257]

Same here!

[@globaleye8]

Blimey looks like the London Mayor is English, whoever would have thunk it ! 🤣

[@lyndioli]

Wow, backstage attendants were even fancy 😊

[@siletsahar]

The last one... *----*

[@mylordslords6134]

ON ONLINE YES ON ONLINE YES YES

[@kazimuttakin6312]

Now,the dresses of a fashion show has become a competition of peculiar dresses😂

[@yaelrar.4460]

This wasn't pompous. The clothes were beautiful. I'd wear all of it.

[@dls9437]

Who said the show was pompous? I think someone said today's shows are pompous compared to this one. ??

[@curtisjensen]

the large muff of beaver complete the picture

[@AmorBesos123]

Fashion❤️♥️💖

[@cecilyerker]

I think the pompous title refers more to the elites and upper class attendants of the fashion show rather than the models or the clothing.

[@karenmurphy6749]

Fashion was fashion!! No bones showing in their asses nor their backs!! Thank goodness the clothes covered in all the right places & no tatoos.

[@zaker721]

Imagine, if you will, a world that had never heard the word “twerk”

[@janesmith8453]

A muff of beaver? Enough said!

[@deniseseespots1329]

Plucked and sheared beaver, no doubt

[@bobandvegana4trump140]

3:49 awww

[@shoebill181]

Elegance, they move with grace and style unlike how the mode ln s walk today like they are wooden puppets out of joint.

[@queenbeekeeper]

Blimey! The mayor is called Cuthbert! Is the one human on the planet at the moment called Cuthbert? I think not!

[@francisheperi4180]

A nice saint's name.

[@quester09]

😍

[@matthewk2175]

That last lady looked like Anne Hathaway

[@betenoireindustries]

...*wool* chiffon. wild.

[@nicoleburgon5773]

@funincluded I heard it too. I don't know, maybe it wasn't such a swear back then? Lol I don't know.

[@Patrick3183]

The word is "hall".

[@MerleOberon]

The Mayoress seemed to enjoy the fashions....