item details
Kate Coolahan; illustrator; circa 1965
Overview
Description
Final artworkfora James Smith Ltd newspaper advertisement, promoting the department store's 'new Fashion Boutique' and the store's 'Fashion Floor'. The advertisement features an illustration of a women modelling an evening gown designed by Fenn Dell, phototype text and the James Smith logo.
Theartist has written'self highlighting s/s' in pencilin the bottom right hand corner.
Signficance
Kate Coolahan worked for James Smith's from 1959 to 1960, and on a part-time basis from 1962 to 1964. Coolahan created a memorable house style for James Smith’s fashion campaigns, starring a gallery of smartly dressed, sophisticated city women. Coolahan became somewhat of a star herself – her advertisements attracted regular fan mail and requests to purchase her drawings.
This advertisment promotes James Smith's 'new Fashion Boutique' and 'Fashion Floor'. The former was established to cater to the well-do-do market, such as the diplomatic core and politians wives, and thelatter featured 'carefully selected garments with such famous fashion names as Babs Radon, Emma Knuckey, Raphael, Fenn Dell, Pour Vous'. The advertisement features a drawing of an evening gown designed by Fenn Dell madein pure silk and Swiss embroidered organza, with 'almond green satin panels flying from thelow back'.
Fashion Boutique clientswere oftentelephoned personally by the store when new ranges came in, andarranged fittings by appointment.