the klee skirt

We went rainy-day thrifting with my parents yesterday, and my favorite find turned out to be a fun surprise. Sometimes you find something and don't realize at first that it's anything special, but then you do a little digging and: voila!

I found this very pretty 1950s era cotton full skirt. I liked the abstract, painterly squares pattern, and was especially intrigued by the fact that it came with a matching accessory I'd never seen with a women's skirt before: a button-close sash/cummerbund that is not attached to the skirt, but which fits over the waistband.

I wasn't too excited however, because the zipper was broken. And I know zippers are very difficult to replace. But the skirt was only a few bucks and--my mom's here! And she is very handy. I thought she might be able to fix the zipper, and I was right.

When she was done, I looked inside the skirt for the first time and saw the cool tag.

Then I noticed writing on the inside hem selvage:

And then I saw this.

Klee fabric--how cool! So I started to Google, and discovered that in 1955 Fuller Fabrics designed a series of patterns "inspired by" modern artists like Miró, Picasso and Léger. Leading designers of the time including Claire McCardell and Tina Leser used these fabrics in their lines. I happened upon this fantastic article from a November 1955 Life magazine in the Google archives. It features models wearing Claire McCardell's creations using the Fuller Modern Masters fabrics alongside some of the actual artists in their studios. Go check it out now--the photos are wonderful.

I also dug up this 1956 newspaper ad in the Google archives, which features adorable little girls' dresses made with Picasso and Chagall fabrics.

I don't know yet if I'll put the skirt up for sale. I love it, but it's not my size. And if I'm not able to wear it, it seems silly to keep it. Yet, I kind of want to hold onto it for a bit. Speaking of acquisitive feelings, look at this beautiful Heywood Wakefield hutch of the same era that was at the same thrift store, and which I cannot stop thinking about.

xo

K