YEAR: Late 1930’s-early 1940’s

DESCRIPTION: Red chiffon evening dress with red velvet belt

“The Sophie look is based on the unvarying principle that a woman and her waistline must never be separated.”[1]  

This close up of a red chiffon evening gown from late 1930′s/early 1940′s gives us a closer look at the  red velvet belt  used to accentuate the waist of this streamlined evening gown. A matching red velvet, ”modesty” panel  keeps the plunging decolletage in check. This creation shows an intricate  level of shaping achieved  through hand sewn tucks in the bust line and at the waist.   

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[1] By PHYLLIS LEE LEVIN.  “American Collections: Sophie Sticks to Intensely Feminine Look. ” New York Times (1923-Current file)  2  Mar. 1959,ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006), ProQuest. Web.  30 Jun. 2010.