Bonnie Cashin
About
the designers
Bonnie Cashin was born on 28th September 1915 in Oakland, USA, the daughter of a dressmaker. In the early 30's, she attended the Art Students League and also designed costumes for the Roxy Music Hall dance chorus. To earn extra money, she also designed sports clothes and divided her time between show business and fashion. In 1937, she produced a collection for the Sportswear firm Adler and Adler, for whom she subsequently worked full-time.
She designed handbags for many years, for the Coach Company. Her design philosophy matched their simple functional lines. She was also known for her World War II women’s uniforms for the services.
The Look
She is considered one of the Great American designers of the 20th century. She believes in clean, uncomplicated designs; her clothes are loose-fitting and functional and often worn with layers which could be discarded according to climate. Many of her designs are still relevant today. She was skilled at mixing fabrics and worked frequently with canvas, leather, poplin, suede and tweed. During the 50's and 60's - her most creative years - she produced, among other numerous garments, Chinese style jackets over dresses, canvas and poplin raincoats, fringed suede dresses, wool tabards, kimono coats piped with leather and long dinner jackets made of upholstery fabric. Bonnie Cashin is most often associated with the Poncho as a fashion garment. She was also famed for her long fringed skirts made from plaid mohair, and with her signature funnel-necked pullover sweater featuring a neck doubling as a hood. Many contemporary designs can be traced to the intense practicality and purposeful direct lines of Cashin's clothing.