zoom

Poiret | c. 1912

zoom

Paul Poiret | c. 1933

I love Poiret’s emphasis on the back of his dresses. A professor told me that he did this because of his love of dancing, especially tango, where the front of the dress would be pressed closely against the wearer’s partner and no one would see it anyway. 

front

This elegant gown (one of the few from this collection to survive) is typical of 1930s evening attire. Made in bias-cut ivory satin, it plunges at the back, clings to the torso and gently flares below the thigh. The cascade of velvet ribbons and diamanté buckles focuses attention on the back. ( V&A Museum)