Franklin Simon Beaded Lace Dress
Dublin Core
Identifier
VC1992035
Title
Franklin Simon Beaded Lace Dress
Description
Dress of light tan silk and lace with rhinestones and beading; many layers; bodice has 8.75 inch wide tan lace pieces that are draped over each shoulder from the waist in front to the waist in the back; asymmetrical bodice overlay in front and back of light tan silk jacquard in a geometric motif; lace inset at center front to fill in v-neckline made by lace shoulder pieces; center back placket of hooks, eyes, and snaps is covered by asymmetrical sash and bodice overlays; pleated sash of ivory metallic organza with coral silk trim at the top edge; hanging piece of light tan silk geometric jacquard coming down from sash on left side; diagonal overskirt of light tan silk geometric pattern jacquard, using selvages as edge finish at center front, draped into swag at center back behind knee level and caught with buckle covered in self-fabric; lace skirt with gold and white beads and rhinestones in large scallop pattern; bodice band of ivory silk satin with selvage finish at upper edge; bodice is lined with light peachy tan silk crepe; inner waistband of 4 inch wide ivory grosgrain with metal hook and eye closure; skirt is lined with light tan silk crepe, with a rounded slit opening at the center front hem. sleeves of off-white/golden metallic organza; waistline trim of coral silk; light tan silk chiffon; light tan silk voile; light tan satin; light tan net; off-white seam binding.
Creator
Franklin Simon & Co.
Date
1912 (circa)
Subject
Clothing and dress
Extent
34.75 inches (chest), 21 inches (waist), other measurements: underbust 25.5; skirt side length 42
Medium
beads
chiffon
ribbon
jacquard
lace
metal
net
organza
rhinestones
satin
silk
trimming
voile
Type
Physical Object
Spatial Coverage
United States
Temporal Coverage
1910s
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Rights Holder
© Vassar College Costume Collection. Images in this collection may be used for teaching, classroom presentation, and research purposes only. For other reuse, reproduction and publication of these images, contact costumeshop@vassar.edu.
Costume Item Type Metadata
Source Identifier
VC1992035
Cataloguer with Date
Arden Kirkland 1/12/2009
Color Main
tan
Color Secondary
orange
white
gold
coral
cream
Technique
machine sewing
beading
lace making
Closure Type
buckle
hooks and eyes
snaps
Costume Component
lining
Dimensions Chest
34.75
Dimensions Waist
21
Dimensions Other
underbust 25.5; skirt side length 42
Dimensions All
34.75 inches (chest), 21 inches (waist), other measurements: underbust 25.5; skirt side length 42
Label
Franklin Simon & Co.
References
Date Earliest
1908
Date Latest
1917
Culture
American
Gender
womenswear
Classification
costume
clothing
Function
evening dress
Exhibitions
Fashion and the Feminine 10/07
Public Information
This gown from the 1910's exemplifies the transition away from the elaborated silhouette and concealed body of the Victorian era, and toward the simplified and revealed body of the Roaring Twenties. It lacks the exaggerated silhouette of the bustle or hoop skirt. While a corset would have been worn under this dress, it would have been a transitional corset as well, emphasizing the verticality of the body and slimming the hips rather than exaggerating the hourglass figure of the previous period. This gown is well loved by the students who have seen it on display. As a result, it has become the subject of a project in which the gown is being reproduced in a larger size so that costume history students can try it on and experience what it was like to wear it. The original is somewhat fragile, which means that we have to be very careful with it, but the way that it is deteriorating inspires us even more to fully research and reproduce it before the deterioration progresses much further.
Condition Term
poor
Condition
outer layers have some tears, probably has darkened with age, innermost lining is very brittle and shattered
Mannequin
10 with legs
Storage Location
E5
Repository
Vassar College Costume Collection, Drama Department, 124 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
Work Type
dress
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