At a time when Parisian couturiers were the widely accepted arbiters of global fashion, California-born designer Bonnie Cashin shunned what she viewed as pretentious form without function and created lightweight separates that could be worn in layers and adapted to the active lives of modern women.
Bonnie Cashin, circa 1957
Cashin’s use of layering and her creation of what would become known as sportswear are today so fully ingrained in the American mainstream that her innovation and influence are often overlooked.
The onetime Hollywood costume designer who, as a teenager, designed dancewear for a local ballet troupe, created clothing with an eye for the body in motion. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the fluid movement and versatility of Cashin’s designs appealed to increasingly mobile women who wanted clothes that were practical, comfortable and could transition with minimal effort from season to season and from the workplace to a night out.
An avid globetrotter, Cashin drew inspiration from her travels, particularly a 1950s trip to Japan in which she discovered the artful construction of the kimono, which was worn in varying numbers of layers to suit the changing climate. Not long afterward, Cashin began working as a freelance designer in New York, producing coordinated separates that could be worn as an ensemble or in various combinations as weather and the occasion demanded. While layered dressing itself was nothing new, Cashin’s pragmatic yet stylish designs helped popularize the trend by showing women they could be chic without sacrificing comfort.
Cashin herself acknowledged the reflection of Asian tradition in her designs. A far-eastern influence is evident in her signature Noh coat, an unlined, T-shaped garment with deeply cut armholes that was designed to be worn alone or under a cape or poncho.
By all accounts, Cashin was the first major designer to bring women’s raincoats, ponchos, capes and boots to the runway. She often cut pieces from luxurious fabrics including suede, cashmere, jersey and tweed, and was the first to feature organic materials like leather and mohair in a high-fashion collection.
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Vintage 60s BONNIE CASHIN SILLS Leather Tweed Suit Coat US $449.99 End Date: Friday Jul-30-2010 12:59:41 PDT |
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Coach Bonnie Cashin Blue Leather Purse 70's Vintage US $49.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Jul-30-2010 19:28:28 PDT |
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Vtg Green Leather Bonnie Cashin Sills Toggle Coat M US $49.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 17:44:10 PDT |
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Vtg 60s BONNIE CASHIN 3-piece Dress w Bolero Set XS S US $34.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 23:08:00 PDT |
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Darling 1960's BONNIE CASHIN Faux Fur Lined Coat MED US $85.00 End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 15:51:53 PDT |
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Vintage DOUBLE KISS stripe BONNIE CASHIN leather purse US $34.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 18:32:06 PDT |
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VINTAGE COACH CASHIN ERA SLIM TOTE PURSE BAG TOTE HUGE! US $39.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 20:30:08 PDT |
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VINTAGE LEATHER COAT BONNIE CASHIN HOOK FRONT 1970’S US $195.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 23:31:18 PDT |
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VTG 70's BONIE CASHIN cape GLAM high neck cape sills Co US $400.00 End Date: Wednesday Aug-04-2010 14:51:24 PDT |
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Red Leather Bonnie Cashin Shoulder Bag For Meyers US $300.00 End Date: Wednesday Aug-04-2010 19:10:05 PDT |
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VINTAGE ICONIC BONNIE CASHIN FOR COACH SHOULDER BAG US $95.00 End Date: Thursday Aug-05-2010 20:53:52 PDT |
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ULTRA PLUSH and LUX BONNIE CASHIN VINTAGE COAT US $69.95 End Date: Saturday Aug-07-2010 7:45:29 PDT |
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BONNIE CASHIN VINTAGE LEATHER RACCOON COLLAR COAT S/M US $200.00 End Date: Saturday Aug-07-2010 10:11:32 PDT |
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BONNIE CASHIN Vtg 60s MOD TAN SPRING TRENCH COAT~L/XL US $124.00 End Date: Saturday Aug-07-2010 11:14:55 PDT |
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BONNIE CASHIN WEATHERWEAR BLUE VINTAGE TRENCH COAT~6 US $88.00 End Date: Sunday Aug-08-2010 12:05:06 PDT |
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60's Rare ~BONNIE CASHIN~ Leather Mini Tunic- Dress NR* US $135.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Aug-08-2010 18:33:08 PDT |
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VINTAGE WHITE LEATHER TUNIC VEST BONNIE CASHIN 1970'S US $395.00 End Date: Wednesday Aug-11-2010 11:36:00 PDT |
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COACH Bonnie Cashin Bag Handbag Purse Satchel Tote RARE US $159.00 End Date: Wednesday Aug-11-2010 21:22:26 PDT |
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Bonnie Cashin Vivid Turkois Suede Toggle Closure Jacket US $400.00 End Date: Friday Aug-13-2010 11:45:41 PDT |
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Vintage Womens White Leather BONNIE CASHIN Jacket Coat US $199.95 End Date: Sunday Aug-15-2010 12:40:23 PDT |
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Vintage BONNIE CASHIN Sills 2-Tone Leather Suede Coat US $350.00 End Date: Monday Aug-16-2010 9:04:51 PDT |
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Vintage HOODED Princess Swing RAIN Trench Spy Coat M L US $195.00 End Date: Monday Aug-16-2010 9:05:06 PDT |
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RARE vtg BONNIE CASHIN Leather KISS LoCK Bag PURSE US $34.00 End Date: Friday Aug-20-2010 19:04:48 PDT |
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VTG BONNIE CASHIN for Sills Suede Colorblock Jacket L US $199.99 End Date: Saturday Aug-21-2010 18:44:17 PDT |
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Vintage HALSTON ultrasuede trench coat or dress ICONIC US $199.99 End Date: Sunday Aug-22-2010 21:04:04 PDT |
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VTG 70's BONNIE CASHIN coat canvas/leather space age sM US $62.50 End Date: Monday Aug-23-2010 18:31:43 PDT |
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BIG Vintage CASHIN Coach SUSPENDER Messenger Purse Bag US $187.50 End Date: Tuesday Aug-24-2010 20:30:44 PDT |
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VINTAGE COACH HOBO HANDBAG Cashin Era PURSE US $39.99 End Date: Friday Aug-27-2010 9:42:46 PDT |
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Vtg 60s Bonnie Cashin Mod Red Lined Trench Coat M US $79.99 End Date: Saturday Aug-28-2010 14:00:33 PDT |
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Vintage Bonnie Cashin Taupe Spy Trench dress COAT US $125.00 End Date: Saturday Aug-28-2010 14:44:06 PDT |
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Bonnie Cashin for Sills BRIGHT GOLD SUEDE COAT 1960s US $99.99 End Date: Saturday Aug-28-2010 16:37:47 PDT |
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HEAVIEST BONNIE CASHIN STY COAT~FUR COLLAR & LINING~S/M US $185.00 End Date: Saturday Aug-28-2010 20:35:13 PDT |
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BONNIE CASHIN Sills Green Suede & Wool Coat/Jacket US $49.99 End Date: Saturday Aug-28-2010 23:04:57 PDT |
