#6575 $985
Gentleman's striped silk chapan
This traditional robe from Afghanistan is difficult to precisely date because the classic shape has been produced for centuries. The chapan was purchased over 35 years ago from a collection of antique textiles.
The chapan is fashioned from silk satin cloth woven with alternating stripes of wine-and-gold chevrons and plain ivory. The back is fully lined with ivory cotton; the fronts are partially lined.
The inside is bordered with burgundy cotton. The neckline and cuffs are outlined with bronze colored, braided silk trim. The chapan has one interior chest pocket and is completely hand-stitched with small neat stitches.
One fashion trend from 100 years ago that is coming back is ethnic clothing. A friend recently showed me an old, out-of-print book on fashion history. I did a double take when I saw several pictures of Jean-Philippe Worth dressed in exotic ethnic costumes. t
Then I recalled how common it was among fashion cognoscenti of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to have collections of historic ethnic textiles; and to dress in them; and to party in them, e.g., The 1002 Nights Ball given by Paul Poiret on July 24, 1911 in his Paris house.
The condition is very good to excellent. There is slight wear to the fabric around the neckline. This is a minor flaw.
It measures: 42" chest, 25" sleeve length, and 58" from the shoulder to the hem.
