Anton BRUEHL
Australia 1900 – United States of America 1982
United States from 1919

Fashions of the Future no 2: Gilbert Rhode Banishes Buttons, Pockets, Collars, Ties
half-tone
image 32.9 (h) x 24.8 (w) cm

The ‘Fashions of the Future’ debuted at a World’s Fair Terrace Club party before being displayed in windows of leading New York shops. Rhode, a designer of metal furniture, lamps, clocks, pianos and boilers summarised his vision of his suit for all seasons and occasions:

Man of the next century will revolt against shaving and wear a beautiful beard … His hat will be an antenna snatching radio out of the ether. His socks –disposable. His suit minus tie, collar, buttons. His belt will hold all his pockets ever did.

With typical theatricality Bruehl interpreted these fashions with a sympathetic understanding and insight into the designer’s ideology which enabled the Vogue readers to get the full impact of this experiment in prophecy.