Super Rare Original 1930s Black Ciré Waxed Satin Evening Gown With Matching Jacket Museum Piece
This incredible evening gown is rarer than rare. It was made in the 1930s from black ciré, an usually fabric treatment where a layer of wax is applied over satin or taffeta to create a shiny, almost wet effect. The textile fell out of fashion during the war due to material scarcity and never reappeared afterwards as other more commercial fabric treatments prevailed. In fact almost all ciré pieces we could find are now found in museum collections so we are even more delighted to present you this exceptional piece for sale.
The gown was cut in the classic form fitting silhouette of the 1930s with wide straps and a fitted waist. A simple V neckline allows the textile to truly shine and this V shape was mirrored in the waist seam. Gentle gathering at the top of the waist seam shaped the bust and the skirt flows freely from fitted hips. The dress fastens with poppers at the side and is unlined. The matching jacket features short gathered puff sleeves and an unusual wrap over design. It fastens with a single popper at the waist and has a beautiful V shaped peplum at the front that shapes into a small bustle at the back. This gown was once owned by a stylish American lady called Geneva, whose photo we have attached. She clearly had impeccable taste and this gown could easily grace any modern day red carpet.
Dress
Bust: 32” (tight 34”)
Waist: 26”
Hips: tight 34”
Length: 59”
Jacket
Bust: 33”
Waist: 25”
Shoulders: 14” seam to seam
Length: 21”
The dress and jacket are in very good condition with only a few areas of slight soiling near the hem as well as a couple of pinholes and areas of seam strain as pictured.
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This garment is available to purchase with or without dress shields. These clever little contraptions have been made by our seamstress to an original 1940s pattern and can be simply attached to your garment by tack stitching at the corners of the underarm seam, pinning (we wouldn’t recommend that, it hurts if it goes wrong, so if you try this, it is at your own risk only) or inserting tiny poppers. They then stand ready to absorb any sweat and body odours as needed and you can simply detach and launder them instead of your garment, saving you a fortune in dry cleaning bills.
They are equally suitable for suits, blazers and dresses and come in two different options:
1. Pure cream cotton for your heavier weight dresses, blazers and suits
or
2. White cotton muslin for lightweight summer dresses (so they don’t show through the fabric)
They are universally sized and super easy to use even for a sewing novice as only a couple of tiny stitches are required at each side to secure them.
We sell Dress Shields as a standalone item or at a discount if you purchase them with a garment. We will select the appropriate type to match the garment you have purchased.