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 BONNIE CASHIN BLUE LEATHER TURNLOCK JACKET M US $49.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 17:35:03 PST |
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60's VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG PURSE COACH BONNIE CASHIN US $29.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 6:21:35 PST |
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Vtg 60s Courreges Gernreich era MOD mini knit dress S US $24.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 13:38:41 PDT |
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Vintage 50s 60s TURQUOISE olive wool TWEED YARN dress US $34.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 17:51:21 PDT |
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VTG Coach Bonnie Cashin NYC Briefcase Case Satchel Tote US $77.00 (14 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 18:55:03 PDT |
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BONNIE CASHIN Vtg 60s LIME GREEN SUEDE+LEATHER COAT~XS US $148.00 End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 20:53:40 PDT |
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BONNiE CASHiN Vtg 60s WOOL+LEATHER NOH/TRAPEZE COAT~S/M US $248.00 End Date: Tuesday Mar-16-2010 11:16:42 PDT |
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vintage 60's BONNIE CASHIN Sills TWEED Wrap CAPE COAT US $49.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 17:46:17 PDT |
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Vtg New England Sportswear LEATHER Blazer Coat Womens L US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-17-2010 22:49:16 PDT |
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Vintage Bonnie Cashin Coach White Leather Purse-Rare US $150.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 6:07:20 PDT |
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BONNIE CASHIN BROWN LEATHER RACCOON VINTAGE COAT S/M US $250.00 End Date: Saturday Mar-20-2010 12:11:59 PDT |
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BONNIE CASHIN VINTAGE LEATHER RACCOON COLLAR COAT S/M US $200.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-28-2010 8:53:13 PDT |
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Bonnie Cashin for Sills BRIGHT GOLD SUEDE COAT 1960s US $99.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-31-2010 16:37:47 PDT |
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VINTAGE 60s Bonnie Cashin LEATHER SWING Baby Doll Coat US $198.00 End Date: Sunday Apr-04-2010 14:26:48 PDT |
