Sunday, December 19, 2010

'Stars' for 2011 (in a Gown)

I have been inspired for some time to create a gown from this Erté art (credit Sevenarts, Ltd.):


I am modifying it slightly with a silk ribbon halter strap.

It fits perfectly into my 'Luxe' theme for 2011, so it will be the new multi-size pattern ready for release in February.

The appeal is its overall simplicity, yet the texture of the bodice front which entails some engineering. As shown in a muslin iteration, the over-bodice front is shaped and stabilized with rayon covered millinery wire inserted and overcast into each dart:



I plan to make the final gown in coarse silk net I picked up last year. I have found a number of precidents for 1930's styles in coarse silk net:

A la Mainbocher's skirt, photo courtesy of Corbis.com:


and 1930 pattern art:

2 comments:

Deborah said...

I love reading about your projects, you do great work. I don't think enough people know about Erte and how incredible he was.

EvaDress said...

I am happy to say I have plenty more Erté-inspired pattern projects I will be rolling out over the next 1-1/2 years!

Great way to spread the Erté joy, n'est pas?