This beautiful summer dress in large polka dot viscose rayon with a statement white rayon crepe bow screams 1930s all over! It features butterfly sleeves and the very art deco style square panelling at the front and back of the skirt which also has kick pleats on both sides. Double darts at the front and back give a bit more shape to the dress. The bow fastens with a snap at the collar. Snap fastening at the side. The belt features a cream vintage bakelite buckle.
Here’s yet another version of my popular “ Claudette” dress from my very first 1930s dress collection, in a lovely pionette wool crepe. This early 1930s style dress features a wraparound detail in the front bodice which gives a very flattering line to the silhouette. The long leg o’ mutton sleeves were very popular in the era. These ones have been gathered at the shoulders to create a puffy effect. The dress’s slightly above natural waist line is a very typical feature of the early 1930s. The beautiful vintage square art deco style bakelite buttons adorn the side of the neckline. Fastens with snaps at the side.
This lovely bottle green wool crepe mid- 1930s inspired dress is an adaptation from an earlier design of mine from 2009, here presented with long raglan cut bishop sleeves and contrasting cream silk cuffs.
The striking large cream silk bow down the front of the bodice with a deep v neckline is typical of the 1930s style and a fantastic contrast to the deep green of the mid- calf length dress. The vintage cream button attached to the little flap on the bodice with an art deco style cut panelling also adds to the eye-catching front. It also features two kick pleats down the front of the skirt. The bodice is gathered at the back. The belt has an original vintage buckle. Two darts at the back of the skirt. Snap fasteners at the side seam.
Here’s a golden oldie from my 1930s bow dress collection from a few years back, the “Vivian”, an early 1930s style dress in burgundy silk crepe de chine with its dramatic large bow in original vintage rayon bringing interesting contrast to it, typical to the era. It also features the unusual detail in the shoulders of the half moon shaped “wings”, that were also a popular style detail in the 1930s. The long sleeves have small cuffs in the same fabric as the bow. The belt features an early vintage plastic buckle. Closure at the side with snap fasteners.
Here I present a darling early 1930s inspired cotton dress in a lovely art deco style print. It has a sweetheart neckline with the front yoke forming a very deco geometric double peak. The yoke at the back is cut in a horizontal line. The skirt features two kick pleats down the front and back, divided by triple panelling. The short puffed sleeves also add a lovely summery touch to the dress. The three large original cream bakelite buttons running across the side of the neckline and above one of the pleats creates an interesting asymmetrical effect. The belt features a cream vintage buckle. Closure by snap fasteners at the side.
Here’s my interpretation of the dress of the wonderful abstract painting “Girl from Eydtkuhnen II” (1927), by the amazing Finnish artist Helene Schjerfbeck which I wore for the exclusive preview of opening of the new exhibition “Schjerfbeck and Fashion”, which opened at the Villa Gyllenberg in Helsinki on February 14th 2024. See my previous post about how I became involved in this project.
This rather unusual bolero dress, which was a novelty in the 1920s, in silk crepe de chine, features joining panels of fabric, in this case, in different colours with the technique known as “faggoting”, a very popular thing in the Twenties, which could be made by hand or as in this case, by machine. It creates an interesting patchwork effect. The bolero top attaches to the front only. The light yellow main dress also features a beautiful accordion pleating on the skirt, in this case my homage to Clara Bow, and the skirt she wore in the film “It”, also made in the same year as the painting. The light blue belt, with a bakelite vintage buckle, fashionably placed on the lower hip brings a lovely balance to the elaborate bolero front.
The mid- 1930s style Jemima dress from one of my past 1930s dress collections in striking printed black viscose/rayon that I made for the lovely Cathrine. It features a geometric art deco style cut panelling down the front of the skirt and also on the front of the bodice with mirroring large rust coloured vintage bakelite buttons. The gathered 2/3 length sleeves , the bow and large collar fastening with an eye and hook also bring something very typically thirties to this darling piece. The belt also has a vintage buckle.
Here I present my homage to Cyd Charisse in “Bandwagon”, and the beautiful dress she wore in the film, an early 1950s style cocktail dress in beautiful emerald silk dupion with corded lace and shimmery net tulle overlay on the bodice and tulle overlay on the skirt. The sweetheart neckline features a lovely and very flattering illusion detail in tulle covering the bodice on the front and back. It also has 3/4 length sleeves and ballet length skirt that were very popular in the era. Fastens with a zipper at the back.
This gorgeous early 1930s style number in white and navy viscose rayon was just something I had to try. Being a big fan of stripey and check fabrics cut in contrasting panels, this clearly represents the popular cuts of the era. Very geometric art deco in style featuring a large collar, yet another classic of the 1930s, a v-shaped insert on the bodice , both front and back and the triangular pockets. It also has vintage bakelite buttons and buckle in navy.
With side snap fastening.
Here I present a lovely early 1940s inspired dress in original vintage floral rayon gathered bodice, front and back, collar and the skirt. The light brick coloured yokes and belt in viscose rayon add a great contrast. It features an original vintage bakelite buckle.
It also features fabric covered buttons down the front, padded shoulders and elbow length sleeves.
With zipper fastening.
The Vintage Dressmaker 