1. I love how the pattern of the beading gives the effect of flowing cloth.

    I love how the pattern of the beading gives the effect of flowing cloth.

  2. This may be the most gorgeous beading I’ve ever seen on a dress.

    This may be the most gorgeous beading I’ve ever seen on a dress.

  3. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had the opportunity to visit the Victoria & Albert Museum when I was in London a few weeks ago. It was amazing to see some of the pieces I’ve posted on here in person. Sometimes the detail and construction of a piece just can’t be captured on film. I the dress that was the most amazing to see in person was this early 1930s Patou evening gown. I had seen pictures of it before and thought it was a pretty dress, but nothing extraordinary. Now that I’ve seen it up close however…

    As I mentioned in my previous post, I had the opportunity to visit the Victoria & Albert Museum when I was in London a few weeks ago. It was amazing to see some of the pieces I’ve posted on here in person. Sometimes the detail and construction of a piece just can’t be captured on film. I the dress that was the most amazing to see in person was this early 1930s Patou evening gown. I had seen pictures of it before and thought it was a pretty dress, but nothing extraordinary. Now that I’ve seen it up close however…

  4. Hi everyone! I’m back from Europe and ready to resume our regular update schedule. My trip included a stop at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (finally!) which I’m sure will be the source of many, many posts. I’m going through my photos now, and will try to have something up by the end of the day.

    Hope everyone had a great summer!

  5. Announcement

    Starting tomorrow, I am going to be overseas for a good portion of the summer. I will have my faithful laptop with me, and do plan to continue posting, but posts will probably be less regular.

    On the upside, it looks like I will finally get to go and see the V&A Museum fashion collection while I’m in London, which I’m sure will be the source of many, many posts.

    Happy 4th to my fellow Americans, and I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

  6. ohtexas had expressed some interest into how exactly a bergère was worn. I hope this portrait, despite its incredibly homely sitter, offers some clarification. Although strange looking, the bergère actually was functional as well as fashionable as it served to keep sun off of the face and shoulders in a time when being pale was an essential part of fashion and society. Think of it as a wearable parasol. Or one of those stupid umbrella hats. (Portrait of Mrs. Allen, John Singleton Copley, 1763.)

    ohtexas had expressed some interest into how exactly a bergère was worn. I hope this portrait, despite its incredibly homely sitter, offers some clarification.

    Although strange looking, the bergère actually was functional as well as fashionable as it served to keep sun off of the face and shoulders in a time when being pale was an essential part of fashion and society. Think of it as a wearable parasol. Or one of those stupid umbrella hats.

    (Portrait of Mrs. Allen, John Singleton Copley, 1763.)

  7. And finally, no fashion rainbow would be complete without some Pucci. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny the man was colorful. This tabard and tights ensemble is from 1967.

    And finally, no fashion rainbow would be complete without some Pucci. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny the man was colorful.

    This tabard and tights ensemble is from 1967.

  8. A very stripey 1966 evening coat by Valentino.

    A very stripey 1966 evening coat by Valentino.

  9. A neon plaid evening gown by Bonnie Cashin, 1957.

    A neon plaid evening gown by Bonnie Cashin, 1957.

  10. A one shouldered variation of Charles James’ “Ribbon” evening dress. This skirt has much richer colors than the other versions of this dress I’ve seen. Because James produced his dresses for longer periods of time than most couturiers, this dress could have been made anywhere between 1945 and 1955.

    A one shouldered variation of Charles James’ “Ribbon” evening dress. This skirt has much richer colors than the other versions of this dress I’ve seen. Because James produced his dresses for longer periods of time than most couturiers, this dress could have been made anywhere between 1945 and 1955.