1955: Going bold
It was during the 1950s that American fashion icon Marilyn Monroe emerged to our awareness. The actress and model signaled a wind of change when it came to women’s fashion: after nearly two decades of plain, utility clothing, Monroe celebrated femininity with form-fitting outfits, mainly dresses, and her signature red lipstick. Her dramatic makeup and bold dresses put her on the map as a fashion icon.
Women no longer resisted the feminine New Look of Dior, but rather embraced it. Women’s wear was sexier than in the past, and they enjoyed the luxurious style, including long dresses and fur – fur was mandatory for women in 1955, especially for evening wear.