Need help identifying type of lace used on this dress

[zannew]

Hello! I recently acquired two of these dresses - one black and one red. I am wondering how to describe the lace. It feels very soft, like wool or cashmere (is it possible it may be cashmere?). The backing is silk tulle. Would I be correct dating the dress from the 1950s?

 

[Jonathan]

It's Shetland lace. I have never seen a dress made from it before - usually shawls, especially baby shawls.

 

[retro ruth]

Here's some company info, on Adele Davis.

ADELE RUTH DAVIS
Born: 1903
Nationality: BRITISH

Adele Ruth Davis was employed as Director (COUTURIER) at DAVIS-BRENT LIMITED from 19 November 1991 to 08 April 1994

DAVIS-BRENT LIMITED
23 September 1946 - 02 December 1997
10 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON W1

http://www.companydirectorcheck.com/adele-ruth-davis

Still a company director in her 90s!

And there's that W1 on a label again.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

What a lovely dress! I wonder if Missoni was influenced by this type of shetland lace.

 

[zannew]

Thank you Jonathan! I knew I'd seen that before but I didn't connect it with baby shawls. It's sooo soft! Also, thank you Ruth for the info. about Adele Davis. Interesting! What a dynamic person she must have been! Mary Jane, that's an interesting question about Missoni. I appreciate all of your comments!

 

[bartondoll]

I have several very old shetland lace baby shawls, that are sooooooooo soft and lovely and like Jonathan have never seen a dress made of this.
Shetland lace is a knit lace.

Sue

 

[joules]

I love the shawls and wraps like this.
I doubt that the content is cashmere however. All that I have seen are the very soft wool.
I used to find them in The West Indies island shops.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I've only seen Shetland lace in shawls and bed jackets too - thanks for the name Jonathan, I hadn't know that.

My guess is that it's made of lambswool.

 

[pinky-a-gogo]

What a lovely dress! I wonder if Missoni was influenced by this type of shetland lace.

I thought the same thing! It's a very pretty dress!

 

[Pinkcoke]

Before I saw the label I was expecting this to be a make do and mend from two shawls, is it possible the dressmaker was asked to create it from an item of sentimental value?

 

[zannew]

I don't think so, because there is this other dress.......

 

[zannew]

I know the owner of the dress was a dressmaker herself and she traveled the world (38 countries and all 50 states!). While on her travels she bought clothing. So, I assume these dresses were purchased while she was on a trip to the UK.

 

[retro ruth]

How wonderful to have two! Does the other one have the same label?

 

[zannew]

No, it doesn't have a label.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

Love these 2 dresses...I have to say though they should come with a note attached, don't wear any rings....or any jewelry that can catch on them.
I can just see myself getting caught up in the knit.