Jessie Franklin Turner | Tea Gown | c. 1940
Teagowns or “negligees” as the style was sometimes called at the time, were adapted from strictly at home wear to dinner and evening dress in the 1930s. This particular teagown, one of her most well-known design types, exemplifies this alternative form of formal dress and Turner’s luxurious and unconventional design aesthetic. The use of sumptuous materials and textures, combined in pleasing ways, was a signature element of her designs, seen here in the expert juxtaposition of taffeta, lace, chiffon and satin. Turner was also known for her interesting, often unexpected, color combinations, shown in this teagown in the use of calming celadon satin, chiffon and lace contrasted with the softest of pink and vibrant magenta details.
Two-piece bathing suit | c. 1944
Evening Dress | c. 1885
They could have fluffed it out a bit more for the photo, but it’s still fantastic. Feathers make me tingle.
Cotton and Silk | c. 1798
Charles James | c. 1954
I am obsessed with this color right now. This could grace any red carpet today and the wearer would still look contemporary and sleek. Charles James can (could?) do no wrong. He transcends time.
Imagine this with a huge gold necklace or canary diamonds? Ugh…dead.
(this is a re-post…shhhh)
Christian Dior | “Nuit à Chicago” | c. 1954
Feliks Topolski | c.1947
I am loving the shoulders and the bias cut skirt. I with there was a detail shot of the print :(
Charles James | c. 1955
The inspiration for this elegant evening dress probably came from cuirasse bodices and bustle skirts of the 1870s. James was fascinated by the cut of historical dress and explored innovative new forms of garment construction, such as spiral draping. His forte included the creation of luxurious, full-skirted evening gowns. He looked on dresses as works of art, as did his customers.
