Magic of Mary Blair clothing line

If you’ve ever had the desire to look like a living work of Mary Blair art, California-based fashion label Pinup Girl Clothing has the solution: “The Magic of Mary Blair” collection by Pinup Couture. This spring/summer 2015 line of 1950s and ’60s-style dresses and skirts will showcase original art and illustrations by Mary Blair.

Jenny skirt in train border print. (Click to enlarge.)
Jenny skirt in train border print. (Click to enlarge.)

Although Mary Blair is best known for her animation work at Disney, the collection is being produced with the Mary Blair Family Estate and has no association with the Disney Company nor will it feature any Disney artwork. Due out in late-April, the collection will consist of a dozen dresses and eight skirts, with every design available in extra small to 4X:

The collection incorporates Blair’s whimsical novelty motifs of travel—such as trains, planes, and caricatures of commuters—and girlish flair like umbrellas, butterflies, kittens, lips, and roses. Some of the art included was previously used in the 1950s for handkerchiefs and scarves manufactured for Carol Stanley Studios, New York. The collection will also showcase one of Blair’s personal artworks depicting a mother embracing her child.

These designs will be incorporated as all-over and border prints on classic Pinup Couture designs, including the flirty and famed 1960s-style Jenny Dress which features adjustable straps and a gathered full skirt, the stunning 1950s-style Heidi Dress, which showcases a sweetheart neckline, covered belt, and flattering swing skirt, and the sleek and sexy Evangeline Dress, a fitted, wiggle-style style making its debut in this collection.

Heidi dress in planes print. (Click to enlarge.)
Heidi dress in planes print. (Click to enlarge.)

“This collection is a dream come true for Pinup Girl Clothing,” said Pinup Girl creative director Micheline Pitt. “I started my career in animation—frequently the only woman in room—and Mary is my idol. She accomplished so much, refused to be overlooked in a male-dominated world, and stands out as inspiration for all graphic designers, illustrators, innovators, and dreamers today.”

Ella dress in lips and roses print in pink. (Click to enlarge.)
Ella dress in lips and roses print in pink. (Click to enlarge.)

“The Mary Blair Family Estate is thrilled to be associated with this exciting project,” said Blair’s nieces, Jeanne Chamberlain and Maggie Richardson. “Fashion played an important role in Mary’s life—her ‘look’ often taking center stage as she entered a room. She would be so proud to know that the magical designs she created so many decades ago have become timeless, multi-generational, and universally loved.”

To view the whole line, visit PinupGirlClothing.com.

Nancy dress in butterflies print. (Click to enlarge.)
Nancy dress in butterflies print. (Click to enlarge.)
Heidi dress with gathered skirt in cat print. (Click to enlarge.)
Heidi dress with gathered skirt in cat print. (Click to enlarge.)
Jenny skirt in lips and roses print in lavender. (Click to enlarge.)
Jenny skirt in lips and roses print in lavender. (Click to enlarge.)
Jenny dress in commuters print. (Click to enlarge.)
Jenny dress in commuters print. (Click to enlarge.)
Jenny skirt in mother and child print. (Click to enlarge.)
Jenny skirt in mother and child print. (Click to enlarge.)

Amid Amidi

Amid Amidi is Cartoon Brew's Publisher and Editor-at-large.

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