Antique-Gown

Rare bodice of a dress, ca. 1895. Made in Paris, in the fashion atelier of the first couturier in the world: Charles Frederick Worth. 7 Rue de la Paix.

Charles Frederick Worth (b. November 13, 1825 in Bourne, Lincolnshire; † March 10, 1895 in Paris) is considered the founder of haute couture. Worth flattered his customers with luxurious materials and careful tailoring. While previously the customers dictated the design of their dresses, he presented model creations in fashion shows four times a year. The customer chose a model, which was then made to measure with a fabric of her choice. In 1870, the company employed over 1200 seamstresses who produced several hundred dresses every week. Its models were so expensive that even wealthy customers had them altered each time according to the latest fashion.

The bodice is made of green silk. It is closed in the front. Color contrasting very large club sleeves decorated with rosettes of green velvet. Color contrasting chest and back decorated with small sequins. Long tubular sleeves decorated with lace. The same lace is found again - as a decorative element - in the chest area. High stand-up collar made of green velvet (decorated with sequins). Well preserved. Tiny holes in the one sleeve. Slight discoloration. The stand-up collar would need to be partially sewn back on to the top. All in all: a very nice top that needs a little attention. The decoration is not included. 

Brust: ~ 80 cm
Waist: ~ 57 cm
Length: ~ 78 cm