Antique & Vintage Dress Gallery
www.antiquedress.com

9 IMAGES:

#2843 - c. 1940's EARLY CEIL CHAPMAN ORIGINAL Gold Crepe Gown with Sequin Trim! This is the earliest Ceil Chapman gown I've seen. Very early piece. Early label reads "A Chapman Original". In the 1930's, Ms. Chapman was part of dress business called "Her Ladyship Gowns", but that enterprise failed. So in 1940, Ceil opened her own business designing for the wholesale trade. In addition, she costumed for television and theatre. Ceil rarely use printed materials, instead relying on tailoring and decoration (embroidery, beading, sequins, tucking and draping) for design. According to the book, "New York Fashion, The Evolution of American Style" by Caroline Rennolds Milbank, Ceil avoided the heavy-shouldered look during WWII, therefore dating this gown would be the early 1940s... within her first few years of designing. Certainly this is her earliest label. Her normal label is a plain "Ceil Chapman" and her last label has a needle design through the name. Excellent condition! Gold crepe fabric with her signature draping. Gold sequin trim. Side metal zipper. Measures: 34-36" bust, 29" underbust, 27" waist, up to 39" hips, 60" long from shoulder to hem, 41" long from waist to hem, 16" around sleeves. Needs shoulderpads as you see. A definite Ceil Chapman and/or fashion history collectable.
SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study

[Back]