Jean Dessess dress question

[ilish]

I have a few questions where does the little piece go? i cant find a place it naturally fell off. Also what is the signature in the fabric, it looks like Guido something. I am thinking this dress is 30's?

Ilish

 

[ilish]

in the last photo i am holding the *tail* at my waist and it hits the ground....and i am 6 foot!

 

[Pinkcoke]

I love the design in that fabric!
Where is the 'tail' attached from? is it the same piece of fabric used to construct part of the dress or is it inserted at a seam?

 

[ilish]

I am only holding it at my waist with my hand, i am just not sure where it went. I suspect at the waist somewhere but i cant see where it became un- attached. I love the fabric too, dancing girl in a big fabulous dress.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

That is a fabulous print! I believe the fabric maker's name is on the selvedge.
It looks like it may be Guido Ravasi who was a well known textile designer.

If this is him there was an article in the New York Times in 2001 about him...

I do believe this would make this an extra special find.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/31/style/31iht-como_ed2_.html

 

[Pinkcoke]

If you're saying it's completely detached, I would think it was originally sewn onto the shoulder to make a flying panel down the back.

 

[ilish]

Poppy, I do believe that is what the signature says on the selvage. Guido Ravasi. Thank you!

Melani, The tail cannot go on the shoulders as there is no seam on the shoulder...mmmm.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I wonder if it might be that the gown was restyled at some point and that is why you have the extra piece.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hello,

That is a fabulous dress. what a find. The pattern reminds me a great deal of the art of Vertes, or even Salvatore Dali, who were also designing textiles used in Haute Couture The dress looks mid to late 1940s, maybe right after WII. I am not sure of the dating, of course, but it is so wonderful to see.

 

[catseyevintage]

Could the extra piece have snapped onto the shoulder? Or perhaps be some sort of sash to wear wrapped around the waist? How long and wide is it and is the back finished or lined?

 

[joules]

Astonishing!
Mary Jane, good eye, that sure is Guido Ravasi.

Fascinating article, fabulous dress.

 

[Pinkcoke]

Can you show the whole shape of the extra piece please?

 

[cmpollack]

What a marvelous find--that fabric is just fab! (Hooray for Mary Jane for recognizing the selvedge signature...)

I'm unsure of where the extra piece came from, but agree with Barbara that the gown looks 40s rather t han 30s.

 

[ilish]

Yes, 40's make sense. I think i am going to have to keep this one...it feels so nice on, though as usual the waist is too short on me.

Here are some shots of the *tail* ...the shape is a triangle of sorts. There are no seams on the shoulder just three pleats, hand sewn loosely.

 

[Pinkcoke]

Thanks, if you feel the tail, would the section that has been taken up continue to flare out? I really think it was a full length wing originally. The tail may be folded like that for weight, or because the previous owner was shorter than the person the dress was originally made for.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Could it have been attached at one of the shoulders? That makes sense as far as the design, but I am not sure if it falls long enough to look "right".

Oh, I see someone already suggested the shoulder!

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

Keep it!!!

 

[ilish]

LOL Mary Jane....i keep keeping them! this dress though will be the rational that YOU said i could!

 

[vintagedevotion]

beautiful and it looks great on you. glad you are keeping it!