I study historic costuming and in class the other day we were having a discussion on our favorite designers. When it came to my turn I confessed that I couldn’t pick between Worth, Lucille, Callot Soeurs, Paquin, Lanvin, and Doucet, it’s just too difficult! I received so many blank stares in return.
That aside Doucet will always have a place in my heart. This dress dates from c. 1905-07 (from the Met) and is typical of the Belle Époque style.
c. 1903
House of Worth
Met
“Worth Coupe des Velours Evening Gown. French, circa 1905
Princess seaming design of pale aquamarine silk satin with rich light jade velvet ribbon and floral garland pattern, the fitted bodice with low round neck and back, front drapery over the bust with machine reproduction late 18th century Point d’Alencon lace laid within and concluding in a kerchief point at left side front, the lace forming short puffed sleeves that end en point over elbow, ruffle around back of neck down center back to conclude in points at waist, silk covered wire supports at caps, the full skirt gored in back, one inverted pleat at hem right front, silk satin foundation with stays covered in silk faille, central front panel lined in silk taffeta, size 2/4,
petersham labeled: C. Worth/Paris/80354. Property formerly from the estate of Frances Carroll Brown”
Dress, c. 1905
“Cotton mull, lace, silk satin ribbon American An immaculately dressed wife and children were visible symbols of a man’s success at the turn of the twentieth century. An upper-class women managed the good running order of their home with the assistance of nannies, maids, cooks, and butlers, all worked under her supervision to maintain proper standards for the family. Here, the delicate batiste fabric and lace of the woman’s dress assure that she is not directly involved in any childcare or cleaning task.”
Please click the link in the bottom left hand corner to read more! It’s really interesting!
Dress 1902, British, Made of silk, taffeta, chiffon, and lace
Manchester Galleries
C. 1902-03
Costume Institute
1906
“The appliquéd and cutout stylized flowers—either peonies or plum blossoms—are drawn in an Art Nouveau style, which was prevalent from 1890 to 1914. The dramatic sleeve silhouette along with the great amount of ruching and hand pin tucking throughout the bodice and skirt make this a very expensive garment, perhaps part of a trousseau. The period from 1900 until the outbreak of World War I in 1914 was an era of beautiful, extravagant, and ultra-feminine clothes. The high-collared bodice and the soft, draping trained skirt were worn over an S-shaped corset. The corset pushed the bust forward and the hips backward, creating an S-curve in the silhouette of the body.”
Eldora
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