Impressive Fashion Designs by Ceil Chapman in the 1940s and ’50s

Ceil Chapman (1912–1979) was an American fashion designer who worked in New York City from the 1940s to the 1960s. She created glamorous cocktail and party dresses, and worked with celebrity clients including television and movie actresses.

Fashion designs by Ceil Chapman in the 1940s and ’50s

After two years of college, Chapman obtained a position in the workroom of a large Fifth Avenue store in New York. Within three years, she was made head of the studio, staying for eight years. Around 1940, she was involved in a short-lived business called Her Ladyship Gowns, formed with Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt and her sister, Thelma Furness, Viscountess Furness.

Chapman patented numerous designs between 1954 and 1960. Take a look at these stunning photos to see her fashion designs in the 1940s and 1950s.

Inga Lindgren in a fine-ribbed corduroy suit with a short jacket, balloon sleeves and snug cuffs, the skirt has well-placed pleats, by Ceil Chapman, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, October 1946

Model in tropic print evening dress over a ruffled petticoat by Ceil Chapman, photo by Serge Balkin, Vogue, December 1, 1946

Catherine Murray (young associate Vogue editor) in ankle-length evening dress of rayon taffeta by Ceil Chapman, photo by Frances McLaughlin, Vogue, August 15, 1947

Débutante Sheila Ross in white organdie dance dress with a little frilled cape by Ceil Chapman, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, May 1, 1947

Dorian Leigh in a covered-up dress of rayon-taffeta decorated with slivers of jet by Ceil Chapman, green opaque stockings by Gotham and green satin shoes by Evins, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, September 1, 1947

Dorian Leigh is wearing a coppery rayon-satin chin-high low-backed evening dress by Ceil Chapman, photo by Horst P. Horst, 1948

Model in lovely dress of gossamer marquisette and Enka rayon with appliquéd flowers by Ceil Chapman, photo by John Rawlings, Bermuda, Vogue, March 15, 1948

Model in Stonecutter moiré tissue faille gown in a fabric print by Roberson, designed by Ceil Chapman, jewelry by D. Lisner, Vogue, December 1, 1948

Carmen Dell' Orefice in a Ceil Chapman gown, photo by Norman Parkinson for Vogue, October 1949

Jean Patchett and Katherine Cassidy in evening ensembles by Ceil Chapman, photo by Cecil Beaton in front of backdrop inspired by Matisse's Jazz, April 1, 1949

Joan Pedersen in beautiful dress of Narco rayon in lush eucalyptus motif by Ceil Chapman, Vogue, January 1949

Model in beautiful pale blue and white ball gown of satin and net by Ceil Chapman, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, August 15, 1949

Model in spring-green organza dress with organza leaves at the bosom and hips by Ceil Chapman, ostrich feather fan by Mr. John, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, December 1949

Niki De Saint-Phalle in Ceil Chapman's red jersey sweater worn with wide silk taffeta skirt, photo by Arnold Newman for Life, September 1949

Dorian Leigh in bouffant short evening dress of white Swiss organdy by Ceil Chapman, photo by Toni Frissell, Vogue, April 1, 1950

Dovima in gala evening gown of shapely bodice in brilliant red taffeta over irregular clouds of tulle by Ceil Chapman, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, August 15, 1950

Eva Gerney in beautiful evening gown of striped Celanese satin with unusual sleeve-stole by Ceil Chapman, Vogue, November 1, 1950

Marilyn Monroe in black crepe cocktail dress with the single shoulder strap balanced by the gathered fabric on the opposite hip, by Ceil Chapman, 1950

Model in enormous fan of cape enfolding a dress of day-length in brilliant yellow cotton organdy by Ceil Chapman, photo by Cecil Beaton, Vogue, April 1, 1950

Barbara Mullen in lovely dress in shades of sunset-pink with velvet bodice and organdie skirt by Ceil Chapman, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, January 1951

Carmen Dell' Orefice in Royal Pastel EMBA mink wrap-stole by A.J. Blatte, dress by Ceil Chapman, diamond earrings by Harry Winston, photo by Virginia Thoren, Harper's Bazaar, February 1951

Jean Patchett in sheer pale pink organdy blouse and red pleated nylon tulle skirt by Ceil Chapman, photo by Clifford Coffin in Nassau, Vogue, May 15, 1951

Lillian Marcuson in gold silk shantung evening coat over white organdy dress by Ceil Chapman, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, February 1, 1951

Sunny Harnett in beautiful gown of red silk taffeta and white nylon tulle by Ceil Chapman, velvet clutch by Ingber, photo by Richard Rutledge, August 15, 1951

Audrey Hepburn is wearing mimosa yellow gown by Ceil Chapman, photo by Richard Avedon for Harper's Bazaar, 1952

Model in beautiful dress of pale blue satin with a length of forest green faille tied like a glorified order ribbon by Ceil Chapman, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, August 15, 1952

Mrs. Beyda is wearing a light-weight wool princess dress with a five yard hem and edged in linen bands at the neck and pockets by Ceil Chapman, a straw Breton with daisies by Mr. John, photo by Nina Leen, National Gallery, February 1952

Mary Jane Russell in night-blooming rose coat of Bianchini chiffon petalling over a paler pink draped chiffon gown by Ceil Chapmann, jewelry by Miriam Haskell, photo by Milton Greene, Vogue, April 1, 1953

Jean Patchett in stunning dress of pure silk organdy swirled in wave pleats by Ceil Chapman, photo by Toni Frissell, Vogue, March 1, 1954

Model in dream shirtwaist dress of pink silk chiffon by Ceil Chapman, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Ladies' Home Journal, December 1954

Carmen Dell' Orefice in Cerulean EMBA mink clutch-bolero by Samuel Schulman Furs, gown by Ceil Chapman, jewelry by Cartier, photo by Virginia Thoren, Harper's Bazaar, April 1955

Elsa Martinelli in red silk organdy evening dress blown into swirles and ripples by Ceil Chapman, white roses headpiece by Emme, gold-piped red satin slippers by I.Miller, photo by Clifford Coffin, Vogue, February 15, 1955

Louise Brown in Jasmine EMBA mink jacket by Maximilian, gown by Ceil Chapman, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, photo by Virginia Thoren, Harper's Bazaar, February 1955

Suzy Parker in an EMBA Argenta mink stole by Christie Bros., gown by Ceil Chapman, car is Rolls Royce, photo by Virginia Thoren, Town & Country, October 1955

Evelyn Tripp in old rose silk-taffeta dress by Ceil Chapman, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, September 1956

Lucinda Hollingsworth is wearing an Autumn Haze EMBA mink stole styled by Baker of John F. Morris, gown by Ceil Chapman, jewelry by Cartier, photo by Virginia Thoren, Vogue, October 1, 1956

Jessica Ford in blue satin ball gown with matching jacket trimmed in dark mink by Ceil Chapman, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, December 1957

Lucinda Hollingsworth, dress by Ceil Chapman, hat by Miss Alice, Corocraft jewelry ad, Vogue, October 1, 1957

Lucinda Hollingsworth in EMBA azurene mink stole by Constantino of Christie Bros., gown by Ceil Chapman, jewelry by Cartier, photo by Virginia Thoren, Vogue, October 15, 1958

Model in Jasmine EMBA mink capelet from National Fur Company, gown by Ceil Chapman, jewelry by cartier, photo by Virginia Thoren, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1958

Carmen Dell' Orefice in Celanese acetate crêpe gown with ostrich boa trim by Ceil Chapman, Vogue, November 1, 1959

Simone d'Aillencourt in floral print silk shantung dress worn under Chinese red moire coat by Ceil Chapman, photo by Saul Leiter, Harper's Bazaar, April 1959