#2230 $1,100
Devoré velvet flapper dress, c.1925
Many collectors of early 20th century design were originally drawn to the exceptional beauty of the textiles. Although modern technology has given us practical fabrics, we have lost the beauty of the wonderful textiles used in the 1920s.
The simple flapper chemise, uncluttered with detail and numerous seams, is the ideal setting for textile art. The dress is fashioned from plum colored silk velvet that is cut to a ground of dusty rose silk chiffon. I love the contrast of bold Deco stylized roses on the bodice with naturalistic, softly hued roses on the skirt.
At the drop waist, the dress is attached to an ivory silk clip with a wide bronze lamé top border. The lamé straps of the slip are embellished with red and green glass beads and glittering rhinestones.
The monotone plum hue allows the design to focus on shape rather than color. The third picture down presents the haunting semi-abstract floral pattern. It uses a multitude of simple, curvilinear elements to build the jigsaw puzzle that comprises the eternal mystery of women to men.
The dress slips over the head with no closures.
The condition is almost excellent. The dress shows just gentle wear.
It measures: 38" bust, 36" drop waist, 45" hip, 20" from the shoulder to the drop waist, and 42" from the shoulder to the hem.
