Antique-Gown

Afternoon or Reception-Gown, designed by Shogren Sisters, ca. 1901

The Shogren Sisters combined traditional dress elements, such as tulle, textile applications, ivory lace and ivory silk with a fashion-forward textile (moré ?) in an exaggerated pattern. This also applies to this dress, dated ca. 1901 and labelled with “Shogren * Portland, Ore.”. The dress is in very good condition, only a few cracks on sewn-closure of skirt-fabric. The bodice and the sleeves silk lining are with worn places or totally missing. The label and the elaborate workmanship are reflected in the price. The decoration is not included. It’s very hard to find “Shogren-Dresses” in this condition! The decoration is not included. 

“At age 14, May Shogren was the apprentice to a local tailor, and soon sister Ann became interested in the trade. At a time when women rarely worked or even owned businesses, the sisters opened M&A Shogren, a high-end dressmaking business in downtown Portland, in the 1880s.The sisters traveled to Paris and New York every year to view fashions and purchase fabric. By 1905, they employed 100 seamstresses and were the second-largest private employer in Portland. One of their custom-made dresses cost $400 the same as a Model A Ford.”
(http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=98591)

Shoulders: ~ 16 1/2"
Waist: ~ 25"
Length front: ~ 57"
Length back: ~ 67"