I love clothing that shows two cultures colliding, and this dress was just recently up on ebay, with little interest, so I managed to get it for the reserve price. It isn't perfect, most of the little mirrors that were attached to the fabric with a dot of red wax have fallen off, but with a bit of work, it will look quite good. Anyway, this is an East Indian textile that has been made into a fashionable dress from about 1893. It has a Philadelphia maker's name on the petersham waist band, which kind of surprised me, because I would have thought a dress like this might have been common amongst the English women who were living in India, however, the dress might possibly have been for fancy dress as well. Not sure... never-the-less, I am happy to add it to my collection. <img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/a_9226.jpg>
My, you were lucky, this looks in super shape. Love the detail print of the bodice. Can't imagine anyone having that tiny of a waist!
What a stunning dress! There has always been strong Indian culture here in Leicester (it was one of the first places that Indian people settled here in England) but I have never ever come across anything like in this area. You found a trasure with that one. Lei
what a neat combination! Might have been an American doing her 'around the world' tour, who brought the fabric back and had it made up here. Athough like you, my first thought would certainly have been English. Oddly enough, there was a big crash/dpresssion here in 1893? I think. So the owner must have had pretty cast iron source of income to still be having dresses made.. Hollis
Jonathan, I have never seen this type of fabric used...what a great addition to your collection. Thank's for posting this. Sue
