Recent content by claireshaeffer

anyone-- do you have any thoughts about the construction techniques at the neck and armholes? Have you seen this on other garments?

Marsha, thanks for the post for those of us who missed it first time around. Claire

I had an email from Adnan with the abstract for his thesis on Dior-NY, but I couldn't open the thesis so I wrote him again.

Thanks to all who provide some info for my YouTube. I'll included a mention to VFG in the description. Here is the link:

Jonathan, thank you. Based on the construction of the garments, I think they used a contractor in NY. The designs are definitely couture, but the construction is sometimes couture, sometimes RTW, and sometimes simply odd--like they didn't know what to do. The facings fall into this category.

Victoria, that is a fascinating obit. Many thanks. Found my copy of Couture & Commerce--right not much about Dior NY except the business was managed by the French. Thanks, Barbara, I found my book.

Victoria, thanks. I know Adnan and sent him an email. C

Thanks for the info. I've spent several hours examining two garments from the 1960s. 1. They have US Union labels; I have to check Norell, Mainbocher, etc. They had workrooms and I don't remember them having union labels. 2. Both dresses are completely lined and they have separate facings...

I took a peek and left a bid reminding myself that the shipping would be at least $100.

Mary Jane, thanks. I haven't given any of my treasures from you away yet. Barbara, thanks--I looked in several books I have, but found nothing. Christian Dior--NY was not an "American designer" and the couture house apparently considered it a step-child. I'll check Couture and Commerce.

I've bought from Kerry Taylor several times and have always been pleased. My favorite Chanel suit (that I can wear) is from the 70s. Ok, I can't wear the skirt, but the jacket is fabulous. I must add that I , at least once, paid more for shipping than for the garment(s). Even so, I always...

I'm working on a short YouTube about Dior-NY and a couple of my garments. Ilooked online for some info about Dior-NY. There's very little except it began 2 years after the house opened. It was manufactured in the US with Union labels. Since Dior could not manufacturer RTW in France in the...

Frechtel was one of the manufacturers that copied Chanel.

It's probably marquisette which was used for curtains. I haven't seen it in decades.

This fabric is on a skirt I borrowed. It's definitely a leno or gauze weave and not silk. The skirt was made by a home-sewer or dressmaker. There's lots --maybe 10 yards-- of fabric so I'm assuming it is not enormously expensive. I've never seen it in a fabric store. Have you seen cheap leno...