Marcelle Alix

Jasmin Key

Jasmin Key

Registered Guest
Hi I am hoping someone here will be familiar with Marcelle Alix as I would like to date this dress. It's a bit out of my usual field of interest, so any information would be great. I'm thinking 1940s? It was sold as 1920s which clearly it isn't, but I loved the Grès style draping/pleating. It has several hooks and eyes and press stud fastenings plus a metal zipper by Eclair. I've just purchased a catalogue from Marcelle Alix dated 1942 in the hopes it might shed some light on this dress, long shot no doubt.

Of course if anyone has a magic wand to make me tiny enough to wear it...

collage_20150704161743671.jpg collage_20150704161710110.jpg collage_20150704161959730.jpgcollage_20150704160918271_20150704161525503.jpg
 
Marcelle Alix was only around for a few years in the mid-late 1940s. It was the former atelier created by Alix Barton (who was later known as Mme Gres). The zipper safely puts this after the war, but I think the house was gone by 1948, so the dress has to date from c. 1946-47.
 
Lovely dress Jasmin: the pleating is wonderful. I have a similar dress, also from jersey and have always thought that it was about '47. Mine has shoulder pads and a side zip. I don't think it has a label but the quality is obvious and it also has lots of rows of hand stitched pleats and ruching. I'll have to see if there's a label hidden in a waist or side seam.
 
Thank you all for the information, very helpful. If the catalogue does by some slim chance help, I will let you know.

Nicole, I'd love to see photos of your dress. The seller of mine didn't spot the label which I found in the lining, lower back seam. It also has a waist tape with the designer's name. I'm not surprised the label was missed as there's so much fabric to plough through, so you may well find one.
 
Jasmin, I only have one photo of the dress, I wore it to an engagement party in 1999 and you can hardly see anything - just a silhouette, but it's floor length and has big swags and drapes of pleated jersey. You can get a little sense of the pleats from the surface on my hip, that's covered in them.

I really like this dress and bought it in a Sydney market in '97. The seller thought it was '70s. Amazing how many people have no idea how to date frocks.

nicky.jpg
 
Later than 46/47 would make sense - if the Met says 59, then I am sure they are right. The silver metal zipper is more typical of post 1950, most zippers were brass until 1950 - this isn't a 100% rule, but its more typical. The dress looks more early 50s to me as it doesn't have a strong shoulder line.
 
Oh you are so lucky you can wear yours Nicole! I'm afraid I am too stout of figure to wear mine.

That makes sense about the zipper Jonathan. Also my dress doesn't have shoulder pads like Nicole's. It's a quite drapey and full dolman sleeve constructed from the one piece of fabric, using the pleats to shape and construct the bodice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top