Late 30s dress with coil zipper Fashion Originators Guild Label- Help with possible Designer

[Anna Evans]

Hi,
I have this wonderful, but incredibly trashed late 30s crochet dress. After owning it for around 15 years, I just this minute found a small 'Fashion Originator's Guild label' at the hem. Although it's in terrible order, the quality of the design stands apart. It's a truly avant-garde piece with it's zippers and figure-hugging knit. (Please excuse my horrible mannequin- I am on the look out for a better one.) The yarn is interlocked in a way that creates a stretch effect.

The dress recalls Schiaparelli with the prominent coil zippers across the front. (only one original plastic zipper remains- someone has replaced the lower one with a nylon zip fastener) I am just wondering if anyone could hazard a guess as to the likely designer? If I had any dress making ability, I would make it my mission to preserve this design.

Thanks in advance, Anna

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

What fabulous styling! Thanks for sharing the photos of it with us. Wish I could guess but most likely a manufacturer who had it copied.

 

[Anna Evans]

Thankyou Mary Jane!

 

[pastperfect2]

I did find this a list of the members in 1941:

https://www.vintagecityclothing.com/pages/foga-list

 

[Anna Evans]

I did find this a list of the members in 1941:

https://www.vintagecityclothing.com/pages/foga-list

Wow, thankyou! That's incredible! I will do a bit of research into them.

 

[northstarvintage]

Great dress! I've always wondered if there were a way to figure out who designed specific FOGA dresses, because I've had some good ones.

 

[retro ruth]

I've never seen one of those early celluloid plastic zips, thanks very much for showing it to us.


By the way, that looks like knit, not crochet.

 

[Anna Evans]

Great dress! I've always wondered if there were a way to figure out who designed specific FOGA dresses, because I've had some good ones.

Thanks Susan! I probably won't be able to hone in on a particular designer, but the researching the list will be fun nevertheless.

 

[Anna Evans]

I've never seen one of those early celluloid plastic zips, thanks very much for showing it to us.


By the way, that looks like knit, not crochet.

Hi Ruth, Yeah, I was talking nonsense when I described it as crochet. I must have gotten carried away. It's fun to come across a 30s spiral zipper dress, even one in such poor condition!

 

[Vintagiality]

Thanks Susan! I probably won't be able to hone in on a particular designer, but the researching the list will be fun nevertheless.

Anna, is there a number anywhere that label?

 

[Anna Evans]

Hi Victoria, sadly not. I have had a good look for any other discreet labels, but have come up empty-handed. The hem has 10 inches of excess fabric on the inside, but the binding appears contemporary, so I doubt there is any point in unpicking it to check. I thought it might be fun (although time consuming) to research the FOGA members for any references to knit dresses with spiral zip designs. I know it's unlikely to throw anything up, but I'm curious enough to have a stab at it!

Anna, is there a number anywhere that label?[/QUO