Skip to main content

Image / French wedding gown, 1913

Have a question about this item?

Item information. View source record on contributor's website.

Title
French wedding gown, 1913
Alternative Title
Costumes Parisiens
Contributor
Vallée (artist)
Publication Information
Ella Strong Denison Library
Contributing Institution
Claremont Colleges Library
Collection
Fashion Plate Collection, 19th Century
Rights Information
For more information on copyright or permissions for this image, please contact the Ella Strong Denison Library at http://www.scrippscollege.edu/denison/
Description
A bride stands with her back to the viewer in order to display the veil of her wedding costume. She stands in contrapposto with an oval mirror in her left hand, and her right hand on her hip. Her head is turned in profile as she inspects herself in the mirror. Only the lower quarter of her wedding dress is shown. The remaining three-quarters is covered by an elaborate lace veil which falls from her head to just below knee-level. Her lace veil covers her head snugly, gathered into a band around her head. At the back the band is decorated with black rosettes. The veil then spreads across her shoulders and falls down her back to her knees. Illustrated in black and white, the veil has a rosette and floral patterns with a scalloped edge. Two long and elaborate tassels hang from the front on either side of the veil, which would prevent the veil from slipping backwards as she walks. Her dress is narrow, with a hobble skirt and an Empire waistline with a belt, probably of ribbon or satin. Soft gathers are visible above and below the belt. The sleeves are long and snug, and seem almost transparent, with two bands on the arm, and ruffles over her hands. Three bands decorate the lower part of the skirt; one lace applique, one vertical pleating, and a narrow ruffle. She wears white strapped court shoes with Cuban heels, and stands on a blue and purple patterned groundline suggestive of a carpet. The illustration is in black and white with the exception of the model's face, the bluish reflection in the hand-held mirror, and the groundline. It is signed "Vallée in a stylized fashion.
Type
image
Format
image/jp2
Identifier
fpc00549.tif
http://ccdl.claremont.edu/cdm/ref/collection/fpc/id/544
Language
French
Subject
Clothing and dress
Dresses
Gloves
Lace and lace making
Mirrors
Shoes
Tassels
Veils
Wedding costume
Women's clothing
Pleats (Sewing)
20th C costume France
Floral patterns
Headdresses
Rosettes (Motifs)
Time Period
1910-1919
French - Third Republic, 1870-1940
American - Reconstructionist, 1865-1918
United Kingdom - Modern, 1901-1919
Place
France
Source
Fashion plate, engraving (print), colored, 5.5 x 8.75 inches; Scripps College, Ella Strong Denison Library, Macpherson Collection, Costume Plates of Myrtle Tyrrell Kirby, box 11
Relation
Fashion Plate Collection, 19th Century - https://ccdl.claremont.edu/digital/collection/fpc

About the collections in Calisphere

Learn more about the collections in Calisphere. View our statement on digital primary resources.

Copyright, permissions, and use

If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.

Share your story

Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.

Explore related content on Calisphere: