Charles James Evening Cape | Met Museum | c. 1944 Charles James was a master.

Charles James Evening Cape | Met Museum | c. 1944

Charles James was a master.


Charles James Dressing Gown, Met Museum, 1944

Charles James Wedding Dress, V&A Museum, 1934

Charles James Wedding Dress, V&A Museum, 1934

Charles James (one of the very best, in my humble, fashion-loving opinion) Evening Gown, Met Museum, 1936

Charles James (one of the very best, in my humble, fashion-loving opinion) Evening Gown, Met Museum, 1936

ornamentedbeing:   1955,Charles James,”Butterfly” Dress (Ball Gown) James’ ultimate version of the tightly fitted bustle dresses of the early 1880s, this dress emphasizes the feminine form with its body-conscious sculpted sheath and enormous bustle skirt that would move seductively with the wearer’s movement. The femininity is further emphasized by the satin side flanges that are not unlike a bird’s wing bone attached to a burst of tulle feathers. The dress weighs 18 pounds. Twenty five yards of tulle were used in its making. This is a continuation from last nights post.

ornamentedbeing:

 

1955,Charles James,”Butterfly” Dress (Ball Gown)

James’ ultimate version of the tightly fitted bustle dresses of the early 1880s, this dress emphasizes the feminine form with its body-conscious sculpted sheath and enormous bustle skirt that would move seductively with the wearer’s movement. The femininity is further emphasized by the satin side flanges that are not unlike a bird’s wing bone attached to a burst of tulle feathers. The dress weighs 18 pounds. Twenty five yards of tulle were used in its making.

This is a continuation from last nights post.

Obviously another imperative step in the designing process, paper patterns are very rare to hold over half a century after they were created. This pattern from 1951 represents the first stage of Charles James’ iconic dress, The Swan. The finished dress:

Obviously another imperative step in the designing process, paper patterns are very rare to hold over half a century after they were created. This pattern from 1951 represents the first stage of Charles James’ iconic dress, The Swan.

The finished dress:

An intrinsic step in the couturier’s process, muslins, or toiles, are used to work out the outline and construction of the complicated gowns that designers like Charles James have imagined up. This one is a beginning step of his famous “Four Leaf Clover” dress from 1953. The finished gown:

An intrinsic step in the couturier’s process, muslins, or toiles, are used to work out the outline and construction of the complicated gowns that designers like Charles James have imagined up. This one is a beginning step of his famous “Four Leaf Clover” dress from 1953.

The finished gown: