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#5968 - c. 1930's
The Liberty Shop, New Orleans, LA
Magnificent Satin
Rhinestone and Beaded Trained Gown with Original Matching Belt!
I nearly fell
off my chair when photos of this gown were send to me!!! It
was SO spectacular that I was afraid that when it arrived in the
mail that it wasn't going to be an actual 1930s gown.... but I'm
happy to report... it is!!!! As fantastic as any gown you
would have seen on the silver screen movie stars of the era.
There is limited information I've found on The Liberty Shop, 2220
St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, but it was founded by two Southern
ladies Mrs. E.M. Ragan and Miss Emily Guelton in 1920, and
headquartered in a mansion that still stands (currently a bridal
shop). In the 20's and 30's "Customers were required to make
appointments in advance and when they arrived sent their cards via a
parlor maid. They were shown to rosewood sofas and chairs in the
beautifully appointed rooms with the elaborate cornices, tall pier
glasses, mantelpieces and glittering crystal chandeliers."
The shop imported gowns (that usually means from Paris) as well as
designed and created their own couture creations for the wealthy
patrons and elaborate gowns and costumes for Mardi Gras parties! I
even found Mrs. E.M. Ragan on a passenger list on the famed Cunard
oceanliner Aquitania (New York Times dated August 22, 1924)
traveling from Southampton, England and Cherbourg, France!
Probably returning from France with her imported gowns!! :)
Both women passed away in the late 1930's, early 1940's and the shop
continued under other proprietors in the same tradition, with the
same painstaking attention to detail. I doubt this was originally a wedding gown, but it it certainly
could be, so it's included in this wedding section for those of you
who have been WAITING for the gown that was going to WOW!!
Can't get much more WOW than this!!!! There are minor spots
mostly at the hemline, and a few minor ones here and there, but in
the evening light you should be wearing this gown, they will hardly
be an issue. Measures up to a 29" waist (tight, but can
squeeze into that) though the inner waistband is 26" (you don't need
to use that), up to 37" hips. Bust is hard to measure as the back is
open... but you can see it fits 35" bust mannequin... perhaps a bit
larger as well. Yes, the price is high... because I don't
think in my life I will ever find another 1930s gown this
special.... and being an import shop, who knows... could be from one of the top
Parisian designers of the time!!! We'll never know. :(
$ 15,000.
SOLD
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