Allen, Jean

Jean Allen was a London model house, much like Frank Usher, Susan Small etc. They did nice frocks for reasonable prices, a popular type of company which emerged in the 1950s and who were fairly successful until the high street boom of the late 1970s.

“There was an actual Jean Allen who controlled the fashion house, at Cavendish Square London, she was married to a Mr Parry Billings who was instrumental in the day to day decisions. I only know this as I worked there in 1975. They used to source all their models from the London College of fashion, Mr Billings always said that their girls knew how to walk properly!, they had a factory in Italy where their designs came to life.” Sue Irving

Written by emmapeelpants and Sue Irving

from a late 1950s/early 1960s evening dress

Courtesy of emmapeelpants

from a late 1960s dress

Courtesy of stellarosevintage

from a late 1960s dress

Courtesy of stellarosevintage

from an early to mid 1970s evening gown

Courtesy of emmapeelpants

from a 1970s dress

Courtesy of ferryvintage

from a 1970s dress

Courtesy of tickeryboo