Art Deco Gown Information

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vintage art deco gowns

ooh la la!


Do you want a bias cut gown for your wedding?

Fashion designers in the 1930's and 40's such as Travis Banton and Adrian expertly crafted a stunning silhouette in Hollywood's glamorous hey day, but the reality is that while the style is chic, most of these gowns are as thin and delicate as a slip and can show some naughty bits.  This lead to the caveat; "tight enough to show you're a woman, but loose enough to show you're a lady."

tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to show you're a lady

Peek-a-boo!

Silk Satin is the ultimate luxury fiber.  It's soft and beautiful and oh, so gorgeous.  It's also takes a lifetime of 400 silkworms to produce enough silk for a wedding gown.  Silk from the 1930's was known as "Phospora," due to its glistening reflective property that resembles freshly fallen snow.

With lively suppleness and draping, silk satin is best worn unfettered by strain.  Although it is rumored that Jean Harlow (shown above top leaning on a (gak) polar bear head) often had her silk gowns sewn onto her body for fit.  Jean Harlow could not sit down during movie filming and had to use a slant board to rest against. Poor dear, but Man... was she sexy.  Back in the real World, it's impractical to have a seamstress sew your wedding gown to your body.  (So much for Hollywood mirroring real life.)  Size up instead.  You'll need to factor in a bit of give, and add a little bit of room for the gown to move around your body. 

Using a National Recovery Administration gown (1933-1935) as an example, let's look at some of the hard to deny facts when wearing a silk satin Phospora gown.


The length and weight of the train will pull the gown against your hips, tummy and bikini area.

Translation:
If you still look good,
we might just hate you!


No Zippers... EVER!

There are no zippers on bias cut gowns, no easy on and off...  Entry into the gown is done by pulling the gown over your head.  Fit is very important at the ribcage and underbust area.

Translation:
You may have to put your "face" on after the dress is pulled over your head.

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