Help with 1930s masquerade ball gown.

Jasmin Key

Jasmin Key

Registered Guest
I'm trying to work out what era this dress is emulating. Queen Anne has been suggested but I think not. Any suggestions?

It has a wired stand up collar made of gold metallic lace as are the sleeve cuffs. The body is made from a printed silk chiffon shot with lamé. The front is split so there is a separate panel in the middle. The sleeves and back are typical of 1930s gowns, so it's not going for absolute authenticity. The bodice has boning and is fastened with hooks and eyes below the buttons, and the whole thing is lined in taffeta.

It is a Harvey Nichols speciality depart. piece. I believe this refers to it being a masquerade costume. I can't bring myself to call it 'fancy dress'! It's a bit too posh for that :)

Look forward to your thoughts!


IMG_20150707_184346.jpg IMG_20150707_184228.jpg IMG_20150707_184239.jpg IMAG4757.jpg collage_20150707192206051.jpg
 
Gorgeous gown! I agree with Mary Jane: I don't think this is a masquerade costume, more a special event dress. There are elements inspired by a few different historical eras but nothing that is out of keeping with the general trend towards nostalgia that happened in the late '30s.

FWIW:
  • Collar is reminiscent of Elizabethan times
  • Split skirt used in many different eras eg 18th century, to show the rich petticoat beneath (the fact that the same fabric has been used suggest a less-costumey look).
  • Deep V from mid Victorian fashion
But as mentioned, all of these could easily be used in the late '30s.

The fabric is incredible!
 
That would've been a pain to button by yourself!
That dress is absolutely beautiful and considering it's age, in good condition.
I had to show my grandmother who happened to be around me and she said it looks like a 30's dress. :)
 
Interesting. It was sold by the family of the original owner. They were the first mention of it being a costume. The auctioneer put the Queen Anne tag on it. I agree, the fabric is exquisite.

It's the "speciality dept." part of the label that has me intrigued. Any further thoughts on this?
 
What a fanastic dress, and that's an interesting label from Harvey Nics.

I wonder exactly what was meant by 'speciality' in this context, and in those days. I also don't think it necessarily means 'costume' (in the modern sense) or masquerade wear. Your advert for the speciality gowns department isn't showing fancy dress, in fact it appears to be day wear. I suspect that speciality dept means something like 'special occasion' clothes, eg more unusual, and perhaps more high-end.
 
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I've found a magazine advert via google books - you can't see the whole thing, but the text reads

"Harvey Nichols have opened a new “ Speciality Gown ” Department, where you will always find the frock for special occasions— the “frock with a difference."

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=aLgaAQAAMAAJ&q='specialty gown' department harvey nichols&dq='specialty gown' department harvey nichols&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BfScVY7TFuqf7gb43JXIBQ&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAg

It's dated 1932.

Therefore I think the others are right, that this is ordinary evening wear "with a difference", rather than masquerade/fancy dress costume.

Your dress is wonderful, and historically influenced, but probably not a masquerade costume as such.
 
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Sorry. I should have maybe enlarged the section of the advertisement page I was referring to.

"Historic dresses in modern fabrics. On the left is an exact copy of a dress worn by Katherine of Aragon."
Here's the section cut out from the above page I posted.
IMG_20150708_111742.jpg

Also it does actually say under the heading of informal party frocks 'authentic copies of historic dresses...'

Sorry I didn't highlight all this before.

**My mistake that isn't HN oops.**
 
Yes, I did see that, but that advert isn't referring to the 'Speciality Gowns Department" - you are trying to put two things together that aren't necessarily connected.

They did make historical costumes, but that isn't what the 'speciality department' means. Therefore even though they made historic gowns, it doesnt' follow that your 'speciality dept' dress is an 'authentic copy of a historic dress'.
 
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