History's Runway: The Lady Glendoven Gown, 1938

Gown of Silk Tulle, 1938
Mainbocher
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The American couturier Mainbocher created this gown of a fine silk tulle of pale green, pink and emerald green stripes.  The dress is decorated with circled and scattered sequins in coordinating colors. The metal zipper at the side of the dress has been colored green and pink to match the stripes.

As was the style of the late 1930s, the bodice is close fitting with cap sleeves and broad shoulders. The shoulders, however are not padded.  The designer was unable to use shoulder padding, as this would be visible through the tulle, so instead three pieces of boning have been employed, arranged in a fan shape to support each of the shoulders. The dress falls from a fitted waist into a very full, floor length skirt which was to be worn over an emerald green satin petticoat because of the transparent nature of the tulle.

Mainbocher established his couture house in Paris in 1929. He was Born Main Rousseau Bocher, running his two names into one to create his label.

The designer is, perhaps, best known for his 1937 design for the wedding dress of the Duchess of Windsor on her marriage to the former King Edward VIII, the Great Kerfuffler ™.  He was a favorite of Wallis Simpson and I could see her wearing this gown as she mercilessly teased anyone who crossed her and drank away the reality that she would never be Queen.

Speaking of Edward VIII/The Duke of Windsor and his wacky abdication, we’ve commemorated the scandal with our exclusive line of Abdication Kerfuffle ™ designs.  Check them out in our online store.  

Traditions: King George V's Christmas Broadcast, 1935

The following recording from 1935 is not only an interesting glimpse into the past, but also historically significant.  Little did the listening public know, but this would be the last annual Christmas broadcast from the beloved King George V.  He would die soon after, and, the Abdication Kerfuffle (TM) that followed would surely have annoyed him ceaselessly.



 







Looking for a last minute gift?  Take a look at our online store.  You're sure to find something perfect for that for whom you forgot to shop.

History's Runway: A Balenciaga Evening Dress, 1955

Gown of Yellow Satin, Embroidered
Balenciaga, 1955
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

A masterpiece of yellow satin, this gown is embroidered with matching silk thread and gold pailletes (spangles).  It is lined with a matching chiffon with a separate, inner-lining of white silk.

Designed in Paris by Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972) in 1955, the dress features  a strapless, boned bodice joined to a skirt which has been tightly gathered at the back in the center as was the style of the time. A bustle effect is achieved with a series of ruffles.

This gown was worn (with matching gloves) by one Mrs. Fern Bedaux who famously always kept several elegant dresses with her at all times, just in case she was invited to a grand party.  Mrs. Bedaux purchased her entire wardrobe from Balenciaga, amassing a huge collection of his gowns.  Bedaux-an extremely wealthy widow of American millionaire office systems pioneer Charles Bedaux, lived at the Sixteenth Century Chateau de Cand in France where the Duke of Windsor was married after the Abdication Kerfuffle ™ of 1936.

A documentary film was produced about Mrs. Bedaux.  Entitled "The Champagne Safari,” it follows the Bedauxs on their famous expedition through Canada. It also revealed that Charles Bedaux had some ties with the Nazi party—not surprising given his association with Wallis Simpson and the former King Edward VIII. 

If you want to be as fashionable as Mrs. Bedaux without the Balenciaga price tag and Nazi ties, you might want to visit our online store and take a look at our always-stylish, exclusive designs.  

History's Runway: The Lady Glendoven Gown, 1938

Gown of Silk Tulle, 1938
Mainbocher
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The American couturier Mainbocher created this gown of a fine silk tulle of pale green, pink and emerald green stripes.  The dress is decorated with circled and scattered sequins in coordinating colors. The metal zipper at the side of the dress has been colored green and pink to match the stripes.

As was the style of the late 1930s, the bodice is close fitting with cap sleeves and broad shoulders. The shoulders, however are not padded.  The designer was unable to use shoulder padding, as this would be visible through the tulle, so instead three pieces of boning have been employed, arranged in a fan shape to support each of the shoulders. The dress falls from a fitted waist into a very full, floor length skirt which was to be worn over an emerald green satin petticoat because of the transparent nature of the tulle.

Mainbocher established his couture house in Paris in 1929. He was Born Main Rousseau Bocher, running his two names into one to create his label.

The designer is, perhaps, best known for his 1937 design for the wedding dress of the Duchess of Windsor on her marriage to the former King Edward VIII, the Great Kerfuffler ™.  He was a favorite of Wallis Simpson and I could see her wearing this gown as she mercilessly teased anyone who crossed her and drank away the reality that she would never be Queen.

Speaking of Edward VIII/The Duke of Windsor and his wacky abdication, we’ve commemorated the scandal with our exclusive line of Abdication Kerfuffle ™ designs.  Check them out in our online store.  

At the Music Hall: I've Danced With a Man Who Danced With a Girl who Danced with the Prince of Wales, 1927

He danced with a girl who danced with a man who married the Prince of Wales.

I've danced with a man, who's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of Wales.
It was simply grand, he said "Topping band" and she said "Delightful, Sir"
Glory, Glory, Alleluia! I'm the luckiest of females
For I've danced with a man, who's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of Wales.
My word I've had a party, my word I've had a spree
Believe me or believe me not, it's all the same to me!
I'm wild with exultation, I'm dizzy with success
For I've danced with a man, I've danced with a man-
Who
Well, you'll never guess
I've danced with a man, who's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of Wales.
I'm crazy with excitement, completely off the rails
And when he said to me what she said to him -the Prince remarked to her
It was simply grand, he said "Topping band" and she said "Delightful, Sir"
Glory, Glory, Alleluia! I'm the luckiest of females;
For I've danced with a man, who's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of Wales.


“I've Danced with a Man, who's Danced with a Girl, who's Danced with the Prince of Wales” was written in 1927 by Herbert Farjeon at the height of the popularity of Edward, Prince of Wales – eldest son of King George V and Queen Mary. Such celebrity for a Prince of Wales was unprecedented to that date and “David” (as he was known to the family) loved every minute of it. Of course, he went on to be one of the greatest disappointments in Royal history when he chose American two-time divorcee and rumored lady-boy Wallis Simpson over the throne, breaking his mother’s heart in what I call “The Abdication Kerfuffle” ™ and what is more normally called, “The Abdication Crisis.”

The girl that inspired the song is thought to be one Edna Deane--a ballroom dancing champion of the era. The song, notably, was used as the theme for the 1978 ITV television series “Edward & Mrs. Simpson” which is a lot of fun to watch, but frustrating because it is so very pro-David. Nonetheless, thank God for the while Kerfuffle because without it, World War II would have had quite a different end.

Speaking of the Abdication Kerfuffle ™, we’ve commemorated the whole mess with a rather charming line of products available exclusively in our online store.

Traditions: King George V's Christmas Broadcast, 1935

The following recording from 1935 is not only an interesting glimpse into the past, but also historically significant.  Little did the listening public know, but this would be the last annual Christmas broadcast from the beloved King George V.  He would die soon after, and, the Abdication Kerfuffle (TM) that followed would surely have annoyed him ceaselessly.











Looking for a last minute gift?  Take a look at our online store.  You're sure to find something perfect for that for whom you forgot to shop.

Object of the Day: A Punch Magazine from the 1937 Coronation

A new addition to my growing collection of Punch Magazines, we see here the Coronation Number from 1937 and the unexpected coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) following the Abdication Kerfuffle (TM). Filled with beautiful images—both color and black and white—Mr. Punch guides us through the Coronation celebrations with his usual style. Aided by Dog Toby, we get Punch’s take on the new king and the dawn of a new era.

Of course, in many ways, the advertisements take center stage and give us a glimpse into the fashion and technology of London in 1937. I’ll let it speak for itself.

Object of the Day: A Punch Magazine from the 1937 Coronation

A new addition to my growing collection of Punch Magazines, we see here the Coronation Number from 1937 and the unexpected coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) following the Abdication Kerfuffle (TM). Filled with beautiful images—both color and black and white—Mr. Punch guides us through the Coronation celebrations with his usual style. Aided by Dog Toby, we get Punch’s take on the new king and the dawn of a new era.

Of course, in many ways, the advertisements take center stage and give us a glimpse into the fashion and technology of London in 1937. I’ll let it speak for itself.