Exiting WWII, the 1950s was a time for true feminine fashion. Some of the most iconic styles of dresses and skirts (circle, pleated, pencil, etc.) came from top-house designers like Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, and Pierre Balmain. Although, there is one designer who the general population knows nearly nothing about: Sybil Connolly.
Connolly was internationally renowned for her invention of uncrushable linen and ran a successful fashion house in Dublin which put Ireland on the map for haute couture. Her outfits were worn by many celebrities including Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and (more recently) Gillian Anderson who wore one of Connolly’s pleated handkerchief linen dresses to the 2012 Bafta Awards.
One of the things that made Connolly’s designs stand out was that they really focused on accentuating a woman’s figure. “Women should show their curves, not their joints,” is a phrase that has been attributed to this remarkable designer. Not only were her clothes flattering, but they were full of culture as they included Irish tweeds, lace, linen, and flannel amongst other fabrics.
In 1953, one of her outfits – a full length, red, Kinsale cape overtop of a white, crochet gown – was featured on the cover of Life magazine.
The creation of uncrushable linen, however, was really her claim to fame. She used a combination of taffeta and handkerchief linen to ensure that no matter how a dress was worn or packed, it would keep its original shape. After successfully making this product in 1956, orders skyrocketed for her evening gowns made from this material.
Like all good things, unfortunately, Connolly’s popularity came to an end during the 1960’s when Carnaby Street fashion caught fire across Europe and America.
“She may not have been a fashion designer of the highest rank but she was, nonetheless, one of the most remarkable women in Ireland in the 20th century.” -Kate O Brien (writer)
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