A rare piece to behold and a beauty of her era, this original 1930's silk chiffon dress, rendered in the most sumptuous two tone silk, which originally would have been a deep shade of black, but through time and prolonged exposure to sunlight, has faded into the most delightful two tone brown and black palette, which is in turn embellished with black glass bugle beads, and long early plastic black sequins which edge each tier of the dress, is a once in a lifetime piece to welcome to your vintage couture collection.
The rounded neckline of the dress, is framed by thin shoulder straps with are decorate with rows of black glass bugle beads. The elegant fitted bodice, is embellished with rows of black glass bugle beads, drawing the eye to the fitted waistline, which is accented by diamond shaped beaded patterns, which set off the first tiered peplum. The elegant fluttered peplum is set off by triangular silk chiffon inserts, between the elongated diamond pattern of black glass bugle beads, setting off the long black early 1930's tab sequins, which when under movement make the most enchanting noise. The skirt-line of the dress boasts a second tier, which begins along the base of the first peplum tier, in a matching bugle bead stripped pattern, and is in turn edged with a matching elongated bugle bead diamond pattern, and silk chiffon triangular inserts, finished with long sequin tabs. The final tier of the dress, radiates in triangular cut silk chiffon panels, which appear to alternate in colour between brown and black chiffon, again this is an effect of prolonged exposure to sunlight, but I feel, it really truly adds to the design and finish of this piece. The silk chiffon panels are in turn edged with black early 1930's tab sequin, completing this gown in an iconic 1930's silhouette, with a gentle and softly flared hemline. The back of the dress boasts a low rounded back-line, subtly contrasting the geometric pattern and structure of the piece.
This dress comes with its original 1930's black silk slip, which is edged with black silk chiffon along its hemline, in a fluttered pleated design. The slip sits perfectly beneath the dress, aiding in concealing ones modesty. The label of the dress can be found within the side seam of the silk slip.
Measurements of the Gown
Armpit to Armpit: up to 36 inches
Shoulder to Hem: 60 inches
Waist: 26 inches
Shoulder to waist: 18 inches
Hips: 32 inches
Fastenings: None
Measurements of the Slip:
Shoulder to Hem: 53 inches
Armpit to Armpit: 34 inches
Waist: 28 inches
Hips: 38 inches
Fastenings: None
Size: UK 6-8 US 2-4
Closures: This dress has no fastenings, and needs to be rolled down very gently and careful to keep the sanctity of the beadwork .
Condition: This gown is in good vintage condition. Natural colour variation throughout, due to prolonged exposure to sunlight, this is apparent in some of the silk chiffon panels which are brown and not black. This is also apparent behind the beadwork, where the silk chiffon appears a lighter shade of brown. Light and natural beadwork loss. The long 1930's black long tabbed sequins have a few splits and breakages, some of these are missing along the tiers, and some have edges that have snapped away. Sadly we were unable to find anything similar to be able to restore these pieces. This minor breakages and loss of tabs is not apparent when the dress is being worn, as they are well concealed within the pleated drape of the silk chiffon.
There are mends to the silk chiffon panels beneath the tiered outer layers of the skirt-line: one large seam mend along the back of the dress beneath the second beaded tier. Two small darns/mends surrounding this one. One darn beneath the first tier of the dress to the silk chiffon base along the back of the dress. A seam mend to the silk chiffon beneath the second beaded tier of the dress, along the right hand side. Two seam mends to the silk chiffon along the front left hand side beneath the second tier. A seam mend to the silk chiffon along the front left hand side beneath the first beaded tier. These mends are in no way apparent externally as they are well concealed beneath the beaded panels but also backed with the black silk slip, which conceals the mends
A small mend to the centre back of the back-line along the beaded edge.
The slip has some gentle wear to the stitches along the backline, this is along the top stitched edge, where some of the faggot stitching edgings has started to wear thin.
Although these blemishes appear numerous, I have taken careful time in listing them out, so as to give full clarity on this piece. This details are in fact in no way apparent when the dress is being worn, and only noticeable upon internal inspection ( when the dress is inside out) The silk chiffon dates from the 1930's and is wearable but a piece like this needs to be worn with great care. Please refer to the photographs, as they form part of the condition report.
Washing instructions: This garment should be dry cleaned professionally.
Fabric: Silk Chiffon, Glass Beads, Early 1930's Sequins, Silk
Vintage garments have been previously worn and lovingly cared for, they may however have a blemish or two. Here at Willow Hilson, we try our very best to note all the details of each garment, although we may sometimes overlook things, which we do apologise for. Please do not expect perfection, unless stated so.
Please make sure you check all the measurements of the garment before purchasing. Vintage garment sizes are not the same as those of today. To ensure the best fit, we suggest you measure you favourite similar style garment and compare it to the measurements we have listed.
WH
