This is a sheerly mesmerizing, exquisite, example of opulent-era high fashion. From the American couture house of Madame Dunlevy in Cincinatti, is a majestic trained reception gown, fashioned from aubergine devoré velvet. The bodice area is comprised of ivory lace, with spider-web fine 'gossamer' silver lamé lace draped atop, and with further amethyst silk panné velvet trimming.

 

It's construction is astounding, with excessively acute attention put into the detailing. The skirt has been overlapped to allow for an exposed panel of amethyst velvet with silver lace atop, and sewn in a manner so's the silk drapes to give cascading dips and folds, ending in a trailing square hemline to the back.

 

Decorated along the bodice with paste / rhinestone trim, and amethyst silk velvet covered buttons applied to the sleeve's lace. I love the manner in which the lace acts as the main part of the bodice, giving it a genteel, feminine touch. The raise neckline, which is so beautifully 'sculpted', would have given the wearer the look of an elongated neckline, and this combined with the trailing hem, both hint to statuesqueness!

 

The dress is lined and labelled with a petersham waistband. It fastens at the back to the inner lining and lace, with a series of many hooks and eyes, as well as snap fastenings, all which are yet another sign of fine construction!

 

 

Measurements: very rare larger size! Bust 38", Waist 30".

 

The condition is Very Good- definitely a museum quality piece! There is some discolouration to the lace (not the lamé) so it's not pure bright white! Also few small pricks to the lace, and only about 3-4 dark brown marks to the velvet which are mostly too tiny to even show up in any of the photos (one is about as tiny as 5mm square, and the only one worth a mention is about 1" long x 1/2" wide). I can easily say that the dress is in such good condition because apart from its only minor & tiny defects, there is a layer of tissue-thin silk which is beneath the lace and it looks like new (yes, literally!) and this is always the first thing that perishes in these gowns. You'll also notice how clean the interior is (see below image), with only one of the underarm's silk lining torn a bit near the edge (not from weakness- probably an accident with the original owner!). All of which don't detract from it's overall beauty, as noticeable in the images!