This beautiful and unique piece is wonderful and a personal favorite. It is an incredible late twenties, early thirties gown that is made of a fine black silk chiffon with an inner silk lining and feels heavenly once on. It is entirely cut on the bias so has that incredible drape and movement that gowns from this period have. It is incredibly sexy and yet demure at the same time. There is something very feminine about this dress that really attracts the eye that is created by the large amount of fabric that drapes over the inner lining and that wonderful applique work that runs down the front. The front and back dip with a gentle scoop and I love the shirred detailing on each strap. Such a pretty little detail The waist is defined and it has a soft fabric tie belt to add shape if you wish. The skirt below the hip is very full over the inner layer and the effect of the semi-transparent silk chiffon over the more opaque under skirt is stunning. Running down the front from the top of the bodice to almost the knee is a vivid trailing vine of flowers made of patterned silk and padded underneath so it has a 3D effect. This is all hand set and the pop of color is fantastic. An incredible early gown, very rare and very special. Excellent condition with one note to review below.
Note the gown has a Fashion Originators Guild label and its manufacturer's label "Maurent Original". The Vintage Fashion Guild notes the following on the Fashion Originators Guild: "The Guild was an association of manufacturers and retailers who pledged to only deal in original creations. If a retailer failed to abide by the provisions of the Guild, they would be included on a “red-card” which listed all “non-co-operating retailers”. Other Guild members were then forbidden to deal with them." They operated between 1932 and 1941
The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes at the side with metal zipper. Hand work throughout. I see one old repair to the netting of the skirt near the hem and one pinhole. Where the repair is the outer layer of the skirt is slightly shorter then the inner layer. The top layer has so much fabric that once on it is hard to spot any of this but is noted for accuracy.
Bust: 15-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder strap to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS
Item# DD2737
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.