Right now on social media the “Ten Year Challenge” is trending. What did you look like 10 years ago vrs today. This trend then sprung an idea into my head! What if I were to look at a vintage yearbook photos from a COLLEGE Freshman’s first year vrs their last year (Senior year) and share it here?
Well friends, you are in luck! I have found some fun examples from the 1920s to the late 1960s that I’m sharing with you right now (and then maybe some more in a future post).
Here we have Freshman Alice Langston in the 1947 ‘Pine Knot’ yearbook at Barton College.
Now here is Alice as a Senior in 1950 with shorter hair (a very fashionable cut) and a more grown up look.
One more from Barton….Freshman Darlene Tucker in the 1947 ‘Pine Knot’ yearbook at Barton College.
Here is Darlene in 1950. Look at all those clubs and positions she was part of. Good for her! AND can we talk about how adorable Darlene is?
Yvonne Scruggs-Treasurer for the Freshman class of 1952 at North Carolina Central University. Seen in “The Eagle” yearbook (I love her necklace!).
Here is Yvonne in 1955 in her graduation Senior yearbook photo. What an active 4 years she had.
Freshman Treva Miller in the 1941 ‘Sights & Insights’ yearbook from Salem College. Great necklace Treva!
By Senior year (1944), Treva knew how to tame those beautiful curls and became the top of her class in Home Economics (I don’t know this part as a fact but it felt fun to throw in).
Hermenia Fitts as a Freshman in 1946 seen in the ‘Maroon & Gray’ yearbook from North Carolina Central University.
Hermenia Fitts class of 1949 in Commerce and she even made Homecoming Court Royalty. What a smart beauty who had quite the glow up!
In 1935 at Appalachian State University, Fred Moore was starting out as a Freshman (‘The Rhododendron’ 1935 yearbook).
By 1938, Fred was now going as ‘Frederick Daniel Moore’ and he graduated with a degree (diploma?) in History and Physical Education.
Stella Tilley also attended with Fred. Here is her 1935 Freshman yearbook photo.
Stella in 1938 is now a Grammar Grade Education Grad with the prettiest crown of curls.
One last one from ‘The Pine Knot’ (Barton College) this time from 1939. The start of WW2. The Freshman yearbook pages were filled with happy young men, like Gordon Aldridge (well maybe not Gordon).
By 1942 there is only a small amount of young men in the Senior photos. Gordon is still with us and supplying us with a lovely smile for his Senior photo this time around.
Paulette Grant-1963 Freshman at Bennett College as seen in the ‘Bennett Belle’ yearbook.
Here is Paulette…all grownup and graduating in 1966.
Hope you enjoyed this fun post! Share in the comments section which student Freshman vrs Senior photos ws your favourite.
Oh for those who were curious about the 10 year challenge photo, here is what I posted on Instagram. 2012 Liz vrs 2022 Liz. Just a few changes!
While browsing the web during my Christmas break I stumbled upon this beauty of a dress on Pinterest…a 1950’s Emma Domb Pink Black Tulle Cocktail Dress (seen below). WOW!
Source: 1stdibs.com
After I was finished drooling all over my computer (ha ha), I sat back and thought to myself…”So who was Emma Domb?”
Well for today’s post we are going to learn all about who Emma was, view some vintage advertising & imagery and then see some STUNNING examples (some available to buy right now) of her creations.
Emma Domb was a Kentucky-born dress designer based in San Francisco, California. Beginning in 1939, the Domb Manufacturing Company, owned by Emma Domb and her daughter Lorraine Domb Steinberg, specialized in ultra-feminine “important occasion” dresses at affordable prices.
Domb claimed that her interest in fashion came from creating baby clothes for Lorraine. Soon, she found herself making clothing for other babies. Her designs progressed naturally from toddlers’ and children’s dresses to teen-age party and prom dresses (Party Lines by Domb), then, sophisticated evening wear and, inevitably, wedding gowns. There was even a decades-long relationship with the Miss America pageant, with Domb supplying contestants’ gowns, until 1974 when illness forced her to close her manufacturing plant in Apparel City. The company was dissolved in 1980.
Named after Lorraine and headed by her husband Alan Steinberg, the Lorrie Deb division was added in 1951, with a focus on “young deb” junior size dresses. The popular line was dissolved in 1986 (Source).
October 1947. A caption on the back of the photo reads:
A debutante’s dream gown that will make its bow in Paris on October 16 – Emma Domb’s bouffant white net frock designed for dancing. Created for San Francisco’s “Fashion Premiere in Paris” on October 16 (Source).
Emma Domb Vintage Advertising:
1946 fashion ad featuring the sweetest party dress.
Source: Flickriver-myvintagevogue
1956 black and white print ad for a wedding gown of tafetta and imported lace by Emma Domb with a matching ballerina bridesmaid dress.
Source: periodpaper.com
1950s Fashion Ad.
Source: evolutionvtg.blogspot.com
Emma Domb 1958 vintage fashion ad for a bridesmaid dress.
Source: Flickr
A non traditional wedding dress look featuring this dreamy 1960s dress & overblouse.
Source: Flickr
A 1950’s Bridal party. All dresses by Emma Domb. Stunning!
Examples of Miss America PageantDresses by Emma Domb:
Marian McKnight, Miss America 1957, in Fuller Everglaze cotton satin dress by Emma Domb.
Source: HAGLEY DIGITAL ARCHIVES
Marilyn Van Derbur, Miss America 1958, in Custom’s Everglaze cotton satin ball gown by Emma Domb.
Source: HAGLEY DIGITAL ARCHIVES
Mary Ann Mobley, Miss America 1959, in Everfast’s Everglaze cotton ball gown and matching stole by Emma Domb.
Source: HAGLEY DIGITAL ARCHIVES
Nancy Anne Fleming, Miss America 1961, in Ban-Lon lace short formal gown by Emma Domb.
Source: HAGLEY DIGITAL ARCHIVES
Real Life Examples of Emma Domb Dresses
(updated June 2024)
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBayare Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
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. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.
Vintage Shopping: I have created an Etsy Collection of Vintage Emma Domb dresses from the 1940s-1960’s that is updated as I discover them for sale (Over 50 dresses avail for sale as of March 2023)
1940s Emma Domb Party Line plaid taffeta gown dress.
Source: eBay
1940s Striped Taffeta Halter Evening Gown By Party Lines.
In need of a Christmas / Holiday Dress? This 1960’s Emma Domb Iridescent green and blue evening dress is perfect! This dress is incredible, it’s made in a heavy weight taffeta that has a green and blue sheen.
Bombshell dress alert! 1960s Emma Domb chiffon gown.
Source: Etsy
“Emma Domb” Vintage 1950’s Satin and Sequin Embellished Evening Gown. This is totally my style.
Source: Etsy
1960s Emma Domb Sequined Crepe Cape Tunic Evening Gown.
Source: Etsy
1960s Floral Emma Domb Dress with a white floral patterned fabric with a sheer robins egg blue chiffon overlay and a wide, ruched turquoise chiffon waist band.
Source: Etsy
I don’t tend to wear 1970s clothing, but this number I totally would! 1970s Emma Domb candy stripe silk gown.
Source: 1stdibs.com
Vintage 1950s Lorrie Deb Red Tulle Party Dress. As stated above, in the late ‘50s renowned designer Emma Domb started a dress line under the label name Lorrie Deb and this delightful piece is one such result.
Source: Etsy
I am seriously blown away by how beautiful all these dresses were and I 100% want to add a few to my own vintage clothing collection.
Question Time: Do you own (or owned) an Emma Domb dress? Heard of Emma? What was your favourite dress from above? Share any comments you wish to post in the section below.
