Architect of Night: 1940s Hand-Tailored Beaded Wool Blazer

A relic from the postwar dawn — when women’s suits were built like architecture and worn like armor. This extraordinary Ellman & Auerbach Original, sold through Kallick’s of Chicago, was hand-tailored in New York in the late 1940s to early 1950s, when fashion houses were sculpting silhouettes meant to reclaim beauty and power after years of restraint.

Cut from 100% virgin wool, this midnight blazer embodies the "New Look" philosophy: a cinched waist, strong shoulders, and an elegantly flared peplum. Each seam is deliberate; each curve feels designed for both function and theatre. The surface shimmers with iridescent glass bead embroidery, hand-applied in looping constellations. Covered buttons secure the front with quiet authority.

Inside, the dual labels tell its story:
• Ellman & Auerbach Original – New York — a mid-century atelier known for bespoke suiting and luxury tailoring between the 1940s–60s.
• Kallick’s – Chicago — a renowned specialty retailer that imported couture-quality garments for the city’s elite women.

A garment like this was likely commissioned, intended for evening engagements or high-society events. Its craftsmanship and materials place it squarely among the most refined American fashion of its era.

Details:
• Circa 1948–1952
• 100% Virgin Wool, hand-tailored
• Navy blue with iridescent bead embroidery
• Covered button closure at waist
• Structured shoulders, hourglass silhouette, lined interior
• Labels: Ellman & Auerbach Original, New York / Kallick’s Chicago

Condition:
Excellent vintage — minor age-appropriate wear to lining, intact beadwork

Fit:
Best fits modern S

Bust: 36” 

Waist: 26-27"