Dress
Date: 1926
Material: silk crepe, glass, paste rhinestones
2017.10
Label: none
Light chartruese sheer silk crepe evening gown with clear and iridescent seed beads in a leaf and branch design. White seed beads are placed in differing sized circles across the yoke. Paste rhinestones are interspersed between the seed beads throughout the dress. Dress has a scalloped hem and a waist seam.
Measurements:
Bust- 32 inches
Waist - 34 inches
Nape to waist - 18.5 inches
Waist to bottom front - 17 inches
Undearm to waist - 12.5
Shoulders - 13.5 inches
More Information: Extremely delicate, this light green chiffon dress is decorated with white beaded circles and leaves at both the neckline and the hem. Although it is tambour beaded, a French couture technique using a chain stitch from the reverse to attach the beads to the chiffon, the symmetry of the beading between the bodice and the hem of the skirt suggests this was a “semi-made” garment available at a local department store. Swaths of fabric with beaded designs could be purchased and made into a finished garment later, providing a more economical alternative to having a dress custom made at a higher price point.