This month, the Minnesota History Center hosts its debut RetroRama event, whereat America’s mid-century lifestyle will be celebrated, relived, and perhaps even a little bit appropriated. The series kicks off April 26 with a post-war-themed fashion show. (A vintage furniture event is planned for November.) Five local fashion designers, including Anna Lee (see page 90), trolled the History Center’s textile archives for ’40s- and ’50s-era inspirations. Right now, they’re stitching pieces that borrow from these finds:

Rachel Carlson
“It’s shorter than a normal jacket, has a more fitted silhouette, and has a very narrow lapel and collar. I can envision the previous owner wearing it with dark jeans, a narrow collared shirt, and a very skinny tie. This is perhaps the kind of jacket a greaser would have worn to his high school dance.”

Click the downloadable PDF below for a two page PDF with all outfits and comments.