In a 2006 issue of Domino, Julia-Carr Bayler of
Belvedere listed vintage
Flair Magazine as one of the "10 Things That Make Me Happy".
The brainchild of Fleur Cowles,
Flair was dedicated to covering all the things the "style blogs" love: design, fashion, travel, art, literature and film. Produced between February 1950 and January 1951, the glossy mag was considered to be years ahead of its time due to innovative layouts, including novelties like fabric swatches, fold outs and removable booklets.
Flair also hosted a vast array of contributing writers such as Gypsy Rose Lee, Tallulah Bankhead and the Duchess of Windsor.
Die-cut covers which opened to reaveal another scene inside are still a model of discussion for graphic design classes today.
Even though
Flair was widely acclaimed as
the peephole into the life of the jet set, the magazine's production costs ran at almost three times the cover price, resulting in an untimely demise. Vintage copies of the original 12 issues can occasionally be found on
ebay and in 1996, Rizzoli published
The Best of Flair, an exquisite (and pricey) compilation of the magazine's highlights.
In a 2006 issue of Domino, Julia-Carr Bayler of Belvedere listed vintage Flair Magazine as one of the "10 Things That Make Me Happy".
The brainchild of Fleur Cowles, Flair was dedicated to covering all the things the "style blogs" love: design, fashion, travel, art, literature and film. Produced between February 1950 and January 1951, the glossy mag was considered to be years ahead of its time due to innovative layouts, including novelties like fabric swatches, fold outs and removable booklets. Flair also hosted a vast array of contributing writers such as Gypsy Rose Lee, Tallulah Bankhead and the Duchess of Windsor. 
Die-cut covers which opened to reaveal another scene inside are still a model of discussion for graphic design classes today.
Even though Flair was widely acclaimed as the peephole into the life of the jet set, the magazine's production costs ran at almost three times the cover price, resulting in an untimely demise. Vintage copies of the original 12 issues can occasionally be found on ebay and in 1996, Rizzoli published The Best of Flair, an exquisite (and pricey) compilation of the magazine's highlights.
10 comments:
I've been away for a while; so nice to return and catch up on your blog. I love today's fun Flair post.
And the Stable 1897 space (and concept) is truly amazing. Must get myself to Atlanta with notes from your posts in hand.
I'm still hoping to get a copy of "Best of Flair" sometime soon (although I've been waiting for a few years now!).
I've always loved Flair! Great post!
I have every issue and the book from way way back I think 1953 - not the Best of Flair one. Love em!
Great post!! The Best of Flair is on my list of books to add to my library!!
Oh, I have always wanted to collect some vintage flair mags...great post :)
~Kate
I would love to have an old copy of Flair. I first found Fleur Cowles while reading a the entry on her in Bright Young Things London. Quite a remarkable lady!
These are amazing - I had not heard of Flair before - thanks!
I have not seen the book in person, but at such a steep price tag, I might be better of bidding on the entire set of individual magazines.
And I am glad to know Fleur Cowles is featured in Bright Young Things London. I have not yet read that one.
Brilliant,
Great post! You totally captured what Flair was all about.
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