Our recent post called “Pucker Up” featured a vintage ad by Norman Hilton. Always inspiring for showing an elegant and sophisticated take on the natural-shoulder look, here’s a gallery of vintage ads we ran in 2012, with new images added. — CC
21 Comments on "Vintage Norman Hilton Advertisements"
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Excellent.
Civilization is a matter of details.
Beautiful images. I enjoyed seeing these adverts as I slowly get going here at work. Thank you Christian.
Fantastic!
I recall Norman Hilton as a “class” brand. It was sold at Barneys. I bought a couple of suits at Burton’s, New York.
I visited the Linden, New Jersey, factory numerous times its semi-annual sale.
It is a shame that the factory closed, and “old” Norman Hilton company went out of business.
Also note that many of the above images were taken by the great portrait photographer Yousef Karsh!!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yousuf_Karsh
Awesome tribute here to classic Ivy dress. It’s a total shame what the 1960’s did, that began the decline of proper dressing habits which continues on today!
Wonderful stuff. First rate.
Outstanding! Thanks for the memories.
In the history of Ivy, it is interesting to look at the subtle differences.
Neither right nor wrong, but look at the difference in the way the gorge and button placement is with NH jackets, and original BB 3 roll to two.
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=372&Parent_Id=305&Product_Id=1357855&default_color=Stone
There are many more–framed–at Nick’s shop. Some are hanging; others stacked vertically, leaning against a wall. My favorites are the situational ads. Example: “For island hopping, we suggest…”. Fill in the blank with the cloth, almost always a Scottish tweed or two-ply worsted of some sort.
The old model books are there too. One of them confirms that there were many models–not just the West End and the Hampton.
Thanks for posting these Christian. Simply wonderful images!
It’s quality offerings like this that make one appreciate this blog. Thank you, Christian. I think one of the advantages of your background in journalism is how you can come up with interesting stuff day after day after day.
Indeed. I look forward to my daily dose of Ivy Style. Topics worthy of interest, and top drawer writing.
Thanks for a stroll down Memory Lane. These images are priceless, well done my good chap!
I will take the entire collection!!
Very well done!!
When he wrote it in the 1060s, George Fraizer was correct: “From the point of view of style, the best ready-made American suit is turned out by Norman Hilton, a young, enterprising, and discerning Princeton alumnus who, among other things, makes blazers and sports coats for Brooks Brothers.”
I have always thought those Norman Hilton images remarkable. The drape, grace and subtlety are, for me unequaled. In fact, the subtlety is striking–even though those two words might not normally be used together.
Norman Hilton, a true fons et origo of natural shouldered masculinity. Great pictorial evidence of a better time, CC.
“Striking Subtlety” would indeed be a good headline. Chris Sharp found a bunch more so stay tuned.
Among my favorites is the ad that features Michael Cifarelli drawing with a pencil. Apparently Cifarelli was the genius behind the model (“pattern”) seen above–the Hampton.
Note the ubiquity of button downed shirts in the ads.
It’s interesting –the blatant and unapologetic self consciousness about a soft, unpadded look.
Also worthy of a mention is the cost. NH clothing was expensive.
Beautiful stuff.
NH quality is a perfect example of the old phrase, “They don’t make things as well as they used to.”