Beachwear

During her twenty-year career in fashion, from 1944 to 1964, Carolyn Schnurer (1908-1998) was a pioneer in the newly emerging American sportswear industry. Directing her designs toward young active women, Schnurer developed coordinates and dresses that were unfussy, required minimal foundation garments and could be worn for a variety of occasions. Particularly renowned for her culturally-inspired resort collections, rather than a blatantly costumed appearance, Schnurer's designs maintained a classic American silhouette while incorporating the cultural theme in fabric selection or construction details.

This beach ensemble from the "Flight to Japan" collection incorporates several design influences. The cut of the beach coat is based on those worn by students at the Gakushuin School, an exclusive private school for the Imperial children, while fabric is an interpretation of the traditional plaited straw raincoats worn by rural fishermen and farmers. The bathing suit was inspired by the lid of a box containing ceremonial tea napkins.