Paris was the center of fashion in the early decades of the 20th century. American manufacturers traveled regularly to Europe for inspiration. This story on page 48 of the July 1935 issue of Luggage and Leather Goods details the influence on design for Fall 1935 of the exhibit of Italian Renaissance art. Emily Braun, Professor of Art History, Hunter College, said of this exhibit, "In 1935, an extraordinary exhibition of Italian Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces opened at the Petit Palais in Paris. Organized jointly by the Italian fascist regime and the French Republic, this cultural spectacle blatantly promoted "humanist values" to the ends of diplomatic brinkmanship and colonial conquest."

Events of the Summer of 1935 would have profound effects on the political climate of Europe. Hindenberg had died in August of 1934, making Adolf Hitler the Supreme Commander of the German military. In March 1935 Hitler revealed to Europe his hidden military programs including the Luftwaffe. On March 16 Hitler announced conscription and a 36-division Wehrmacht.

Categories: 1935,