From the 11 July 1955 Life Magazine- Glad tidings about glad rags.

'From all over the prospering U.S., buyers had come into the collections well heeled and expectant. But they were astonished and delighted at the attractiveness of the new clothes.  The wholesalers had sent out their wares confidently.  Still they were dazed by the torrent of orders. But most astonishing of all was the way the boom hit the luxury lines. In dresses that would retail at $100 or over, the business was positively staggering- up 60% from last year. 

In the picture above, Ben Zuckerman, Seventh Avenue high priced coat and suiter, stands with the biggest sale, an I Magnin order representing $70,000.'