It’s my birthday on May 4th and so this week’s blog post is all about birthday’s (vintage photos, ads, magazines & more from the 1940s-1960s) in honour of this special day. Enjoy!

1950s vintage photo of a 1950s housewife holding a birthday cake with red lipstick, pearls and birthday balloons behind her

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Vintage Birthday Photos, Advertisements & More!

September 1949, SEVENTEEN Magazine “Birthday Issue” featuring two well dressed women blowing out birthday candles on a giant cake.

1950s vintage magazine cover Seventeen magazine from September 1949 featuring two young women in late 1940's dresses blowing out birthday cake candles

Source: Pinterest

1950s Domino Can Sugar for icings and frostings perfect for a little girls birthday cake.

I am personally not a cake lover, I love pie. Any kind of pie. YUM! How about you?

Further Reading: Vintage Cake Ideas As Seen Thru 1920s-1950s Ads

1950s vintage ad for Domino Sugar featuring an illustration of a little girl looking at a big frosted birthday cake.

Source: Pinterest

Cherry-Blush Nut Cake vintage recipe – LIFE magazine, 1942.

1940s Vintage Cake Ad / Vintage Baking Recipe: Cherry-Blush Nut Cake - LIFE magazine, 1942

1960s vintage photo of a Woman holding a heart shaped birthday cake while her mom looks on. Love their hair and 1960s dresses.

1960s vintage photo of a woman holding a heart shaped birthday cake with candles it while in a 1960s dress with her mom standing behind her also in a pretty 1960s dress.

Source: Etsy-therescuedphoto

“Who’s afraid of BIRTHDAY CANDLES?” 1940s vintage advertisement for Ivory Soap.

Source: Pinterest

“Please use these to light your birthday cake”. A fun 1950s novelty matchbook from Hallmark wishing a happy birthday to whomever receives this gift.

Source: Etsy-SanDiegoVintage

Now take the matches from above and light those birthday candles! 1950s Betty Bolling birthday candles in the original box. Fun illustration on the boxes.

Happy Vintage Birthday Party! 1950s Betty Bolling birthday candles in the original box. Fun illustration on the boxes.

Source: Etsy-pinkchicboutique

March 1949, Sharon Jones (the adorable girl in the center of the picture getting ready to cut her birthday cake) celebrates her birthday at Mrs. Howard’s nursery school.

Late 1940s vintage photo of a group of young Black kids celebrating a birthday party at a nursery school. They are all wearing party hats and waiting for the birthday girl to cut the cake.

Source: National Museum of American History

“Hi Sister! Happy Birthday! A lovely 1960s birthday card featuring young women in fantastic early 1960s fashions playing records.

1960s vintage birthday greeting card / vintage birthday card featuring an illustration of young women playing records in early 1960s fashions

Source: Worthpoint.com

1944 Birthday Party Stand-Up Cut-Out Dolls for girls and boys. Cute 1940s fashions for kids (avail for purchase as a PDF).

Source: Etsy-PastPaperPrettiesCo

1950s vintage photo of birthday cakes from 1959 for a boy and girl turning 3 who are also twins. Adorable!

1950s vintage photo of a boys and girls birthday cakes for the age of 3 from 1959. Adorable twins!

Source: eBay

“Happy Birthday! 27 Songs for fun and frolic”. The vintage album cover is possibly from the 1960s.

Vintage 1960s (possibly) album cover for songs to play at a birthday party. The vintage album cover features a boy and a girl in party hats eating cake.

Source: Pinterest

1957, “Happy Happy Birthday Baby” from ‘The Tune Weavers‘.

The record entered both the Billboard pop and R&B charts in September 1957, reaching no. 5 on the pop chart and no. 4 on the R&B chart (Source).

Take a listen to this popular song below (video link).

“Fred Waring’s New Happy Birthday Song”. 1950s sheet music for piano, vocal & guitar.

1950s sheet music for Happy Birthday Song from Fred Waring featuring an illustration of a birthday cake. The sheet music is for piano, guitar & vocal.

Source: Etsy-Memoryvillelane

“When out-of-town family or family have a birthday..Telephone your Greetings”

1956 magazine ad for Bell Telephone (Canadian company). Great image of children having fun at a birthday party. Includes long distance rates to and from a few major cities.

Source: Atticpaper.com

“Birthday Surprise” Jello Mold Birthday Cake! 1950s or 1960s. The ad even has the vintage recipe so you can make it yourself.

Source: Chronicallyvintage

1940s birthday card. I just adore our young woman’s hair and 1940s clothing. So cute!

1940s Birthday Card / 1940s Birthday Greeting Card featuring an illustration of a young woman with her birthday cake in 1940s fashions & 1940s hairstyle

One more birthday card, this time from the 1950s featuring a young woman in saddle shoes and a plaid skirt chatting on the phone.

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of Saddle Shoes

1950s birthday card featuring an illustration of a young woman on the phone in a plaid skirt and saddle shoes and a cute 1950s hairstyle.

Cheers to Barbs birthday! 1960s vintage photo of an adult birthday party celebration, complete with an adult beverage.

Further Reading: Mini Guide To Holding The Ultimate 1950’s Themed Party

1950s 1960s vintage photo of an adult birthday party complete with a birthday cake and an alcohol beverage. One lade has cat eye glasses.

Source: Pinterest

Thank you so much for dropping by and taking a look at my vintage birthday blog post. I truly appreciate every single reader even if it’s just for one time (which I hope it’s not).

Further Reading: Vintage Advertising 1920s-1960s (archived posts) & Vintage Photos 1920s-1960s (archived posts)

Liz

As vintage fashion enthusiasts, it’s always a joy to learn about the designers who made your favourite pieces a reality (and to see more of those designs). For today’s post, we will dive into the world of one such designer who has left an indelible mark on the fashion industry: Fred Perlberg.

Fred Perlberg was well known for his beautiful party dresses and I’m excited to showcase the vintage ads & real life dress examples of his stunning designs.

Let’s begin!

1950s Fred Perlberg Dress with a tulip / petal bust and a full skirt. Stunning 1950s Fashion inspiration.

Source: Reddit

Further Reading: This post is a series I have done on Vintage Fashion Designers / Brands that I have wanted to showcase not only for my readers but also for myself! Take a read after your done.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Fred Perlberg-Dance Originals Designs

About:

Fred Perlberg (1901-1991) began working in the New York fashion industry when he was sixteen. Three years later, at the age of nineteen, he started his own company (around 1920). Fred Perlberg Originals were mid-priced party and dance dresses and were marketed across the United States and Canada. Fred Perlberg retired in 1968, but the company continued with Roger Milot as the designer (Source-Vintage Fashion Guild).

1940s vintage clothing label for Fred Perlberg Dresses — 1940s Clothing Label

Vintage Inn Blog Note: I was unable to find any of his designs before the 1950s (a little bit in the 1940s) anywhere on the web. If any of my readers can shed light on this designer for the missing time periods that would be fantastic! Comment below.

Vintage Fashion Advertising

November 1940 advertisement: “Mountie Red”. Young Hollywood Fashions sponsored by Fred Perlberg, Inc.

1940s evening gowns inspired by the dramatic colors in Cecil B. DeMille, “North West Mounted Police” with Gary Cooper & Paulette Goddard.

1940s vintage advertisement / 1940s Fashions: 1940s evening gowns inspired by the dramatic colors in Cecil B. DeMille, "North West Mounted Police" with Gary Cooper & Paulette Goddard. Dresses by Fashion Designer-Fred Perlberg

“Holiday red…deep, glistening black-more festive this season because of Chromspun”.

In this 1950s ad, the Fred Perlberg designs highlight the Chromspun taffeta in the two gowns. A petal-skirted, matching sequin trim dress & a floor-length, with dramatic back black evening gown.

Chromspun (acetate fiber with the color locked in) is a trademarked product of the Eastman Chemical Company.

1950s fashion ad for Fred Perlberg evening gowns. One 1950s full skirt dress is in red, the other is a stunning black floor length evening gown.

Source: Pinterest

“Here comes the Bride”….This is an original 1956 color print ad for a princess-line wedding dress designed by Miss Lillian of Miriam Modes. Also featured is a long-bodiced bridesmaid dress of Chromspun taffeta with floating back panels, designed by Josephine of Fred Perlberg.

Further Reading – Vintage Photos: The 1950’s Bride

1950s Vintage Ad: This is an original 1956 color print ad for a princess-line wedding dress of Skinner's peau de faille with a deep box-pleated dust ruffle and a crescent inset of sequin-spattered re-embroidered Alencon lace, designed by Miss Lillian of Miriam Modes. Also featured is a long-bodiced bridesmaid dress of Chromspun taffeta with floating back panels, designed by Josephine of Fred Perlberg. Fantastic Vintage Wedding Inspiration!

Source: Period Paper

1950s vintage fashion ad featuring stunning full skirt gowns.

1950s vintage fashion advertisement for Fred Perlberg Dance originals featuring 1950s Circle skirt dresses. Fantastic 1950s fashions!

Source: Etsy-VintageVortex

1950s fashion ad featuring fashion illustrations of Fred Perlberg dresses for weddings, garden and even Halloween parties.

1950s vintage advertisement for Fred Perlberg dresses featuring an illustration of 1950s evening dresses. Fantastic 1950s fashion inspiration.

Source: Etsy-VintageVortex

“Dateline: Holiday Time U.S.A.” featuring pretty nylon tulle evening gowns in full length and waltz length.

1950s vintage ad for women's 1950s evening gowns by Fred Perlberg Dance Originals.

Source: Facebook

1stDibs has the actual dress in the ad above for sale on their website at the time of this blog post. I will share it below so that you can see the stunning details the advertisement just cannot show.

Description: 1950s Fred Perlberg white and Robin’s egg blue rhinestone encrusted strapless gown. Boned bodice. Hundreds of rhinestones really make this dress sparkle. Features layers of white tulle with blue silk satin around the waist (Source).

1950s Fashion: 1950s Fred Perlberg white and Robin’s egg blue rhinestone encrusted strapless gown ! Boned bodice. Hundreds of rhinestones really make this dress sparkle. Features layers of white tulle with blue silk satin around the waist

Real Life Examples of Fred Perlberg Dresses

(avail at time of posting)

Vintage Shopping: I have created a ‘Fred Perlberg Dresses’ Etsy Collection that is updated monthly. Happy Shopping!

(NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites).

The first Fred Perlberg 1950s dress reminds me of the dresses featured in the last advertisement above. A 1950s Prom Dress / Evening Gown in Taffeta (this one is dusty pink & sky blue (which can be seen in certain light) and tiered netting with a bodice that is boned and gathered. STUNNING!

Further Reading: Prom in the 1940s and 1950s

1950s Fashion: Fred Perlberg 1950s Prom Dress / Evening Gown in Taffeta (this one is dusty pink & sky blue (which can be seen in certain light) and tiered netting with a bodice that is boned and gathered.

Source: Etsy-SadieVain

1950s party dress with matching shawl. The fabric is textured and embossed. It is a strapless style with a heavily boned bodice and a nipped waist. The waist is pleated and the shelf bodice is sheer ivory fabric with a lace trim.

Fashion Note: I’m really starting to notice that Fred really liked dramatic bodices. Pleating, gathers, petal style designs. This will make it easy for all of you when you are out in the world to instantly recognize his designs.

1950s Fashion: A 1950s Fred Perlberg Dance Originals party dress with matching shawl. Fred Perlberg was well known for his party dresses and this is a beautiful example. The fabric is textured and embossed. It is a strapless style with a heavily boned bodice and a nipped waist. The waist is pleated and the bodice is sheer ivory fabric with a lace trim. There is a built in crinoline to give the dress structure but I have also shown it with an extra crinoline. The dress has a metal side zipper with a hook and eye. The shawl has tasseled ends.

Source: eBay

1940s lime green Fred Perlberg dress with beautiful buttons down the front and a sheer ribbon bust.

The ebay listing says it’s a 1950s dress but it reminds me of the dress in the 1940s ad featured further up in this post. Happy to be corrected if I am wrong.

Source: eBay

“Holiday Red” like in another vintage ad featured above. Stunning 1950s Evening Gown with a full skirt and lovely pleated details. Beautiful.

1950s Fashion: A 1950s Fred Perlberg Evening Gown-The dress is a gorgeous red color with spaghetti straps and a pleats off the shoulder sleeves/bertha collar that has a sweet little bow at the center. The bodice is fitted and it has a basque waistline. There are pleated swags on the sides and the skirt is wonderfully full. The dress is ballerina/ankle length and is unlined.

Source: Etsy- WoldsVintage

1950s dress with a fitted bustier boned bodice and a super full circle skirt with fantastic orange swirls on the fabric. A wonderful summer dress!

I am IN LOVE with this dress, but sadly I would not fit in it. But someone should buy it and then show it off to the world!

1950s fashion: a 1950s sundress, strapless by Fred Perlberg featuring orange swirls on the fabric and a full circle skirt.

Source: Etsy-VINTAGEVAVAVOOMZ

1940s dark mauve moire taffeta dress. The dress is unique, featuring side bustles with faux flower bouquet (closeup photo below) and rhinestone embellishments. The dress also has matching, open arm band gloves.

1940s Fashion: A Fred Perlberg 1940s dark mauve moire taffeta dress. The dress is unique, featuring side bustles with faux flower bouquet and rhinestone embellishments. The dress also has matching, open arm band gloves.

Source: eBay

1950s or 1960s emerald green satin fabric with a fitted bodice and full skirt, Fred Perlberg dress. Bodice is completely boned for support and ends in petal-like points of fabric at bust.

Source: Etsy-NostalgiaVintage2

1940s Fred Perlberg silk taffeta evening dress. Once again the cap sleeves and bust area is what stands out in the design of this dress.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Fred Perlberg silk taffeta evening dress with cute sleeves.

Source: Etsy-OffBroadwayVintage

Looking for a “Little Black Dress”? This 1960s Fred Perlberg dress with decorative buttons would be perfect.

1960s Fashion: A Fred Perlberg 1960s dress. Black dress with decorative buttons down the front. Perfect "Little black dress".

Source: eBay

1950s elegant ivory silk chiffon halter gown with large flowers on the fabric. What a statement dress!

1950s Fashion: A 1950s Fred Perlberg elegant ivory silk chiffon halter gown with large flowers on the fabric.

Source: Etsy-GlennasVintageShop

Question Time: Have you heard of this fashion Designer? Do you own a Fred Perlberg piece? What dress did you love above? Share any thoughts about this post in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

Vintage Fashion Designers (Archived blog posts)
Vintage Fashion 1920s-1960s (Archived posts)

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

Category: 1940s

Charming Vintage Birthday Photos, Advertisements & More!

Vintage Birthday Photos, Advertisements & More!

Vintage Fashion Designer Spotlight: Fred Perlberg Dance Originals

Fred Perlberg-Dance Originals Designs

About:

Vintage Fashion Advertising

Real Life Examples of Fred Perlberg Dresses