Wilhela Cushman was a prominent fashion editor and photographer who was best known for her work at Ladies’ Home Journal.
She served as the magazine’s fashion editor for 25 years, starting around the late 1940s and continuing through the early 1950s. Her name often appears alongside well-known fashion designers and photographers of that era, and she even shot many of the fashion features and covers herself, making her quite influential in mid-century American fashion journalism.
Cushman is credited with the famous quote: “Just around the corner in every woman’s mind – is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her.” These photos capture the elegance and refinement of 1950s style, reflecting Wilhela Cushman’s lasting influence on the world of fashion photography.
Model in pretty, floral print, polished cotton dress, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies’ Home Journal, May 1954
Ivy Nicholson in lovely stole-dress in flower printed silk surah with wide-brimmed straw hat by Christian Dior-New York, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies’ Home Journal, March 1953
Ivy Nicholson in multi-color dragon print silk dress with same print-trimmed cashmere sweater by Clare Potter, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies’ Home Journal, January 1953
Ivy Nicholson in straight box-jacket suit in beige striped flannel with straw-cloth cuffs by Alvin Handmacher, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies’ Home Journal, January 1953
Model in English tweed suit in taupe beige with a hairline plaid, straight jacket with velvet collar over silk blouse by Digby Morton, hat by Lilly Daché, bag by John Frederics, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies’ Home Journal, March 1953
Leave a Reply