Avon American Fashion Silhouettes Collector Series

Transcription

1 Avon American Fashion Silhouettes Collector Series Series of Eight SERIES DOCUMENTATION 1

2 Avon Fashion Silhouettes Collector Series REFERENCE LIST light blue mauve lilac turquoise orange/yellow blue/white rose-mauve purple/lavender 2

3 Although these figures probably could not technically be used as thimbles, they were advertised as such and were extremely popular with collectors. These fall into the genre which was termed pseudo thimbles by Edwin F. Holmes in his writings. The rack and each of the figures were sold separately through Avon cosmetic catalogs over a period from 1982 through The entire line was discontinued in Photo from Internet 3

4 Photo from Internet The walnut display rack came in a long box on which was printed silhouettes of all the different figures and the title Avon Fashion Silhouettes. Each of the eight figures came in a smaller box which again showed the silhouette of each, in a color corresponding to the dress inside. 4

5 Each bisque porcelain figure is hand-painted and came in a protective flannel pouch inside it s individual box. Photos from Internet 5

6 On the back of each box is a description of the fashion worn by the lady inside and the time-period it represents. Also: CREATED IN TAIWAN EXCLUSIVELY FOR AVON PRODUCTS, INC., DISTR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CARTON PRINTED IN JAPAN On the flap of the box: TO CLEAN: DUST LIGHTLY WITH A SOFT CLOTH OR WIPE WITH A DAMP CLOTH 6

7 The figures are stamped inside the rim: AVON 1982 (or 1983 or 1984) Above that (on some, but not all) is a paper sticker which reads: CREATED IN TAIWAN R.O.C. On the opposite inside rim is stamped CIRCA 1942 (or the year of fashion the figure represents). 7

8 Following is photo documentation of the set of eight American Fashion Silhouettes issued by Avon Products, Inc. and the descriptive text for each. 8

9 Stamped: CIRCA 1890 (fashion date) -- AVON 1982 (issue date) Golden sunlit days when hats were ornate and elaborate. A world of wealth, parasols, and afternoon teas... Avon has captured this era of blouses and bloomers in its 1890 American Fashion Thimble. (Description from the back of the box) This is the first of the series of eight. Hand-painted porcelain. Dressed in light blue in the style of 1890 with pink roses on her hat. Blonde hair. Approx. 2 high 9

10 Stamped: CIRCA 1900 (fashion date) -- AVON 1982 (issue date) " the dawn of a new century. An era of elegance and genteel manners. Of high collars, high buttoned shoes and very high style. Here captured in the 1900 American Fashion Thimble. (Description from the back of the box) The 1900 lady is dressed in pink and mauve with a matching cameo and high collar on her blouse. She sports pink feathers clipped into her auburn hair. Approx. 2 high. 10

11 Stamped: CIRCA 1923 (fashion date) -- AVON 1983 (issue date) "The 1920's... an age when the pursuit of happiness was the rage. Hemlines and hair styles got shorter, and movies influenced fashion's silhouettes. The 1923 screening of The Three Musketeers made the cavalier-style hat the height of fashion - as seen here, hand-crafted in porcelain, in the 1923 American Fashion Thimble. (Description from the back of the box) The lovely 1923 lady is all dressed in lilac. She has a fur muffler around her neck and her wide brimmed hat has ribbon hanging to the side of her black hair. Approx. 2 high 11

12 Stamped: CIRCA 1927 (fashion date) -- AVON 1983 (issue date) The 1927 Flapper shortened her skirts, turned down her hose and bobbed her hair, then topped off the liberated look with a "helmet" by milliners. The hat was simple, smooth and brimless, and could be trimmed with eye-catching detail. The style of an era recreated here in handcrafted porcelain: the 1927 American Fashion Thimble. (Description from the back of the box) The 1927 Flapper wears a turquoise dress and a matching turban hat over her short, bobbed, blonde hair. The long necklace around her neck is ready to twirl as she does the Charleston! Approx. 2 high 12

13 Stamped: CIRCA 1928 (fashion date) -- AVON 1983 (issue date) "The Art Deco style of the 1920's and 1930's was characterized by bold outlines, streamlined shapes and geometric forms. This effect was seen everywhere on fashion... even millinery. The small brimless hat (cloche) was sleeked down to cling even closer to the head and was trimmed with a geometric glass cabochon. Reflecting that era here, in hand-crafted porcelain, Avon's 1928 American Fashion Thimble." (Description from the back of the box) This sophisticated gal of 1928 is dressed to usher in the Moderne or Art Deco period. She wears an orange jacket with a striped scarf. She has dark brown hair and measures approx. 2 high. 13

14 Stamped: CIRCA 1938 (fashion date) -- AVON 1983 (issue date) At the end of the 1930 s, America was on an upswing. And as the future brightened, fashions reflected the body and hats got smaller to reveal more of the head. Hair styles were fuller and formed a platform on which toy-sized toppers were set. Milliners were enchanted with flowers and used them in fantastic new ways. As seen here a hat so small it scarcely covers a curl in handcrafted porcelain in the Avon 1938 American Fashion Thimble. Description from the back of the box: The 1938 lady wears a blue and white dress and puffy sleeves on the shoulders of the jacket with swirls reminiscent of flowers. The blouse/dress is cut fairly low for this time period. She wears matching necklace and earrings the same color as her auburn hair, which is fashioned in an "up-do" with hanging curls. She is the only figure in the set with blue eyes. Approx. 2 high. 14

15 Stamped: CIRCA 1942 (fashion date) -- AVON 1984 (issue date) "When the Second World War broke out, the American fashion industry was cut off from its' Parisian inspiration. Yet despite their inexperience and wartime shortages, designers created a true American style. They turned military themes into fashion fads. A simple gown adorned with shiny eagle wings became simply elegant. As seen here in hand-painted porcelain for the Avon 1942 American Fashion Thimble. (Description from the back of the box) The 1942 lady is dressed in mauve with a huge Eagle's Wing across the bodice of her dress. Her hair is dark brown. She is wearing full-length gloves and is definitely reflecting the War Effort in GRAND style! Approx. 2 high. 15

16 Stamped: CIRCA 1947 (fashion date) -- AVON 1984 (issue date) The skimpy wartime look was out and Christian Dior s full-flowered New Look took its place. Rounded shoulders, tiny waists, sweeping skirts, and firm, broadbrimmed hats appeared, marking the return of femininity to fashion. This revolutionary style is depicted now in the 1947 handcrafted Porcelain American Fashion Thimble. (Description from the back of the box) This beautiful 1947 lady depicts Christian Dior's "new look," done in soft shades of purple and lavender. She has dark brown hair and a purple bow on her hat.. Approx. 2 high 16

17 DON T BE FOOLED It should be noted that as of this writing (2014) there are some very poor quality reproductions being offered for sale on the Internet. If you are familiar with the genuine set, the fakes are very easy to spot. The one below is from a seller in Michigan though it probably did no originate from there, and is advertised as an Avon American Fashion Thimble. In addition to the poor quality, notice that the color is wrong for this particular figure it should be turquoise Photos from Internet 17

18 American Fashion Silhouettes by Avon Products, Inc ~ End ~ Photo from Internet 18

19 Series Documentation Compiled by Mary E. Craft 2014 ~ NOT FOR PROFIT ~ This program presented to connoisseurs and students of thimbles and needlework tools for entertainment, educational and documentation purposes only. (This program was created using the knowledge and resources available at the time. As with all ongoing studies, new information continues to surface so if you see an error please call it to the attention of the author so that it may be corrected. Or if you have additional information that would enhance the program, please contact the TCI Education Chair.) educationchair@thimblecollectors.com 19