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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Daily Dress: Dior Velvet Floral

Oh my. Isn't this bodice just perfection? This is a 1950s Christian Dior in printed velvet, which is something you don't see everyday! I just adore the pink tones with the black; it's a surprisingly lovely effect.

I came across it because I was looking for pleated dresses to inspire us for tomorrow's Stitch-Along post. And yes, it does have a pleated skirt that falls in soft folds.


But it's the print that won my heart. It reminded me instantly of the dress Joan wore in the Mad Men episode where she hosts a dinner party (who can forget Joanie playing the accordion?!).

Sigh. So lovely. I believe the floral on Joan's dress is appliqued on, rather than printed, as with the Dior above.

Okay, so this post became more about pink and black floral dresses than pleats, didn't it? No matter. We must take inspiration when it comes!

Update: The Dior dress is surprisingly similar to this Vintage Vogue reissue pattern. A match made in sewing heaven!




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34 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    oh I love the pleating, did you find a suitable pattern? I'd love to try it myself....

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  2. Gorgeous ThingsAugust 9, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Oh! I gasped out loud at the Dior. That is so beautiful.

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  3. MysMichelle the OutlawLadyAugust 9, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Wow, love your taste.

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  4. Polly EstherAugust 9, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    The Dior dress immediately made me think of the floral dress Eva Marie Saint wears in "North by Northwest": http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CSQiGTwUwE/TZY9PPws_sI/AAAAAAAAFp8/XkvCxfNxpFM/s1600/floral.jpg

    I would pretty much kill for either of those fabrics. So gorgeous :)

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  5. Toby WollinAugust 9, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Ding! We have a winner!!

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  6. a little sewingAugust 9, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    I gasped when I saw Joan's dress. to.die.for.

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  7. GracaAugust 9, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    That dress is beautiful ~sigh~ I made the Vintage Vogue reissue dress in a ivory and pink rose print. Nothing as gorgeous as the Dior dress, but the Vogue pattern is perfect, I loved working with it.

    Can't wait to read the post about pleats especially after the last post about pin tucking! I'm heading out today to see if I can find a pin tucking foot for my machine.

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  8. ClioAugust 9, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Oh, I just love how sexiness in the 50's was much more coy and demure - like that neckline. It's suggestive, but not bare or skimpy. And the fabric is oh so beautiful!

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  9. ClioAugust 9, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Gorgeous dress! Thanks for adding the similar pattern. It's always nice to be able to visualize a dress as its pattern.

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  11. reneeAugust 9, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Love the pink on black!

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  12. KarenAugust 9, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    I saw that Dior dress when the Chicago History Museum had a Chicago socialite clothing exhibit a couple years ago. I fell in love with it and found a similarly-printed twill that I've been sitting on, waiting to find just the right pattern. I have the Vogue one, but it's just not right. One day...

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  13. UnknownAugust 9, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    I love that dress!

    Anyone knows a similar pattern that's still for sale???
    Need to make one ;)

    X!

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  14. UnknownAugust 9, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Absolutely beautiful and great tie in! It was great to have you last week as our Stylist speaker at TSS and great meeting you! Tracey

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  15. Marina von KoenigAugust 9, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    love the fabric!

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  16. JillAugust 9, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    There is something about red and black in a floral pattern that gets me every time! Absolutely beautiful.

    Last night I stumbled across this fabric from Free Spirit, that's a rayon poplin, that would look gorgeous in this dress.

    http://freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/gallery.php?gal_id=265&sw_id=3436

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  17. PaulaAugust 9, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Oh, my Gertie, you are SO right - that dress is positively stunning! I hear that Vogue reissue calling my name! The bodice style if gorgeous, and pleats are one of my favorite design details. Indeed a match made in sewing heaven!

    PS Can't wait for tomorrow's sew along!

    http://www.learnhowtosewnow.com

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  18. Myrtha MeadowsAugust 9, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    Who do I have to kill to get that Dior dress?!!! ;)

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  19. SolangeAugust 9, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    That velvet dress is divine!
    I don't recall seeing printed velvet offered anywhere for sale online (I live in the woods in southern Oregon, an area where there is NO PLACE TO SHOP.)

    I have that reissued Vogue pattern. I had to have it, it's so lovely.

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  20. sorbetsurpriseAugust 9, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    That dress is fantastic! I love the Dior and Joan's dress and the pattern! It looks perfect for that dress. I have never seen printed velvet like that before.

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  21. LeighAugust 9, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    LOVE the Vogue Reissue. Must. Have.

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  22. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Normally I find velvet a bit too decadent and gaudy for my taste but the dior has a refinement about it. Just stunning!
    -Lizz

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  23. KikiAugust 9, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    The dress reminds me of the dress Eva Marie Saint wears before and during the auction in North by Northwest. I had a lot of trouble finding pictures of the dress...

    http://www.hitchcockwiki.com/wiki/Hitchcock_Gallery:_image_1699

    http://www.intercambiosvirtuales.org/peliculas/north-by-northwest-1959-720-bdrip-dual-castellano-ingles

    Great movie by the way (with excellent costumes).

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  24. MAUXAugust 9, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Love it. And, love this blog!

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  25. Not4meAugust 9, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    Looks like the curtains in an Indian restaurant....

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  26. karlaAugust 9, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    I'm an old 'sewist', too current a descriptive for me, who's just discovered your blog. Got a new computer, lost all my old favorites, searching them out, I found yours. Yah! Anyway, looked back at your past posts, read the one about brain cells lost to retro foundation garments. It wasn't mine that were lost, but my then-fiance's (married 42 years and counting)

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  27. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Speaking of the daily dress, I need to buy a formal. Stat. As in, no time to sew.

    What's your favorite online source for formal wear?

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  28. ShellyAugust 10, 2011 at 3:53 AM

    Fabulous! Such gorgeous fabric. I already have the pattern but now I'm really inspired to make it.

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  29. reneeAugust 10, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    I just added this Dior dress to my Inspiration notebook on Evernote. It's amazing how many of my 'inspiration' notes start with 'Gerties New Blog...". Thank you for searching out and posting all these great dresses!

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  30. señorita mandarinaAugust 10, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    precioso

    http://laagujadelasenoritamandarina.blogspot.com/

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  31. PamAugust 10, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    Wow! I love love love the Dior! I love it! So wonderful!!

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  32. Rachel W.August 10, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    The texture of the print on the velvet's nap is really neat-- it reminds me very strongly of crystalline glaze pottery. How neat!

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  33. Anna ChristinaAugust 10, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    The latest Threads magazine has a great article about Balenciaga. It also give some of his tips for staying the inside of garments. One of tips would be perfect for this dress. The picture on Pattern Review shows the actual dress looking a little droopy in the shoulders.

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  34. dawn sAugust 13, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    Simplicity 2154 also has those kimono sleeves with gussets that you were talking about earlier just like this Vogue reissue you mentioned.

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie