1920s Velvet: Fashion Service Magazine

I have been working on gathering up my magazine archives and adding to them.  I am focusing on the 1920s and 30s right now. I have just added two Vogue magazines from the 1920s to the collection.  I will be sharing some of those images here on the blog. They are great sources for fashion inspiration and vintage collectors. The Fashion Service Magazine was published under the Women's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences.  This little 16 page publication contained new millinery styles being discussed, women's financial security and business opportunities, daytime frocks, the mode for autumn, winter outfits and Halloween ideas.

Fashion Service Magazine Illustration. Alice Seipp.  Image archive by Sarara Vintage.

The issue I own is the October 1928 edition. The illustration I chose to bring you is that of the cover, by Alice Seipp. Alice illustrated and wrote articles on the current fashions.  Alice was born in 1889 and a known illustrator based in New York City.  This particular cover image seen above, pertained to the inside article on page 11- How to Handle Velvet.  It is described as: "an afternoon frock of sheer velvet, the acme of chic among fabrics, in wine red, as suggestive of the season as the color of ripening fruits"(Fashion Service).  Firstly, why doesn't anyone write about fashion like this anymore! Wow, so delicious.  The article discusses how to sew and handle velvet.

The Fashion Service was a publication by the Women's Institute as mentioned, which was meant to school women and young seamstresses in the current techniques, patterns and styles.