REDUCED Vintage 1940s Donald Original Gown Cocktail Dress Charmeuse & Virgin Wool Stunning Sensual Art Deco

Stunningly sensational 1940s Art Deco Cocktail Dress created from a Bronze Silk Charmeuse and Virgin wool.

Donald Original - December 1947

The skirt of the dress is exquisitely shaped to compliment the female form. The shoulders have been ruched at the sleeves and also at the centre placket to give a sweetheart neckline
There is a good deal of silk fabric in the skirt to give a ‘flip’ to the dress as the wearer moves and it’s more than a full circle
There are only two side seams, to the skirt, which means that the fabric was extremely wide to accommodate the cut.

The dress closes with a hidden metal side zip

The gown is mostly hand made, the seams are taped and hand stitched too. The garment has remained in a fashion collection since the early 1950s although it has been worn.

Please remember that the fabric is nearly 100 years old, it is quite firm but will not support being stretched in anyway.

As the garment is unsized I have given measurements taken when the dress was laid flat.
These are given as a guide.
Guide Size 8/10
The Front length; 48”
Underarm to underarm; 36”
Over bust; 34”
Sleeve Length; 5”
Waist; 30”
Hips; 46”
Shoulder to waist; 16.5”
Across the shoulders; 16”

The bodice of the dress is Virgin Wool and this fits into the waist and has a deep cummerbund which may be worn

This is the most gorgeous gown, perfect for an evening dinner.
The condition is original 1930s genuine and quite unique being kept in a store along with other fashion items.

Notes;
Charmeuse, from the French word for female charmer, is a lightweight fabric woven with a satin weave, in which the warp threads cross over four or more of the backing threads. These float threads give the front of the fabric a smooth, shiny finish, whereas the back has a dull finish.

Condition report-Important
Please note that there are a few areas of moth damage to the bodice, being wool. I have provided three photos of this in the listing.
They are quite small, and I did have a mind to have them disguised with gold diamanté, which would have been in keeping with the fashions of this time.

Please drop me a line, if you have any questions.