A rare & important find! Vionnet-style beaded evening dress, c.1923-25. It's an early 'flapper' example, which was produced pre-'Charleston-era,' during the transitional period, which was the movement from the constricted Edwardian fashions. Notice that the cut of the dress is more elongated and straight, rather than in the manner of the later dance/party dresses [post-1926], which were fuller skirted for the purpose of dancing.

 

It's fully beaded with micro pewter coloured bugle-beads, to a geometric motif—very much in the style that Vionnet decorated her garments in during this period. From 1923 to 1925, with the discovery of King Tut's tomb (1922), this led to a major fashion trend— many garments were styled in the Egyptian manner, such as our dress.

 

Having geometric stylized beadwork, it has been patterned to give the feel of Hyrogliphics, thus also bears a heavy deco-style influence. The care-free cut of the dress adds to it's own exotica, by almost appearing as though it were a tunic (a traditional piece of Egyptian fashion).

 

The fabric is sheer, black chiffon, and is unlined (the wearer will be able to pair it with an underslip of choice). There are not any fastenings as it simply slips over the head.

 

Measurements: Bust 40", Waist 40", Hips 42."

 

The condition is Excellent- there is of course minor bead loss (it would be impractical to expect any beaded garment of any age to have all beads intact), though 99.5% of the beads are all intact. The chiffon is strong and shows no signs of weaking. It's a rarity to find fully beaded textiles such as this, in as excellent of condition!