Bonnie Cashin

"Wouldn't it be nice if i could get a a tweed by spinning together a bird's nest and a spider's web?"

Bonnie Cashin

Bonnie Cashin (1907-2000) was born in Oakland, California. She alike to MacCardell had a conception of constructing clothes with practicability. Throughout the 40's she was mainly based in Hollywood where she was producing costumes for Twentieth Century Fox Films. In 1949 Cashin set her way to New York where she was to continue creating ready to wear clothing. Bonnie too loved to travel and many influences had been pronounced in her ideas. In the early 50's Cashin launched her studio 'Bonnie Cashin Designs' where she exposed her creativity. She experimented with materials such as leathers, mohair and tweed. She always successfully combined her designs with her choice of fabric. Bonnie was very practical, inspiration for the poncho randomly revealed its self in a desperate moment whilst she was driving in her convertible, uncomfortably cold she cut a hole into the middle of a blanket and placed it over her head in order to keep warm. That's just a prime example how some of her daily motions brought her spontaneously to some practical conclusions. As well as layering and being the first designer to construct a dress from leather she also initiated the turtleneck that needn't a zipper to get over one's head. She was keen and experimental. Her style was fresh, vibrant and vivid. She resented the 'dull' image that kept rotating its way through the decades. Bonnies designs varied in fittings, some hugged the silhouette and those that didnt still illustrated a ladylike appearance.