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.  

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.  

Gifts of Grandeur: The Duchess of Windsor’s Jeweled Flamingo, 1940

Photo by Dan Kitwood for Sotheby's

I've previously written about this brooch, but I thought that I'd bring it up again today since we're looking at the glamour and delicacy of the fashions of the first three decades of the Twentieth Century.

Love her or hate her, Wallis Simpson was glamorous.  So glamorous, in fact, that she seemed a better choice than the throne of England.

This ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond clip in the shape of a flamingo was created by Cartier in 1940. This sparkling fowl belonged to the Duchess of Windsor and was long a favorite of hers.

In July of 2010, the clip was auctioned by Sotheby’s in London amongst an impressive collection of The Duchess’ jewels.

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 coloured 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.  

Gifts of Grandeur: The Duchess of Windsor’s Jeweled Flamingo, 1940

Photo by Dan Kitwood for Sotheby's

This ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond clip in the shape of a flamingo was created by Cartier in 1940. This sparkling fowl belonged to the Duchess of Windsor and was long a favorite of hers.

In July of 2010, the clip was auctioned by Sotheby’s in London amongst an impressive collection of The Duchess’ jewels.

Obscure Book of the Day: Royal Romances—“David and that Simpson Woman”

As an American who was born almost forty years after the whole “Abdication Kerfuffle” ™ of 1936, I have no rational reason for being so bitter about it nor so critical of the one-time Prince of Wales/King Edward VIII, later, the Duke of Windsor nor of his rather equestrian-looking love, the American lady-boy Wallis Simpson. See? What’s my problem?

(It was never proven that she was a lady-boy)

(Nor was it ever proven that she was a prostitute)

I know what my problem is, actually. In all things, I tend to side with tradition and family. “David” (Edward) didn’t follow through and not only let down Britain, but his mama. And, I really don’t like when people’s mamas get upset. Particularly when the mama in question is Queen Mary, of whom I have developed a certain attachment (Quelle surprise.)

And, so, let’s examine the another obscure book. This one is called, “David and that Simpson ‘Woman.’” Okay. No, it’s not.

The fifth in the series of 1990’s, “Royal Romances: The Love Affairs that Shaped History,” the volume is titled “Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.” Notice that these are not “The Pleasant and Appropriate Love Affairs,” they’re just the ones “that shaped history.”

And, this one really did. I suppose, if you think about it, it’s a good thing that Wallis sunk her crimson claws into Edward VIII. Had she not, the Second World War would might have had a very different outcome. Stinkin’ Nazis.

So, the book talks about their “love affair.” We already know all about that. Blah, blah. And, there are some nifty photos of her jewels. She had many. And her clothes. She had many. And his clothes. He had many. And their fancy homes. Sigh.

But, the part I like the best is that this volume doesn’t shy away from the truth of the scandal and tells it quite honestly.

Let’s take a look inside.

"I want to be Queen."

Worlds...and used car lots.

"Look at me, I'm a lady."

Hard to tell which is David and which is Wallis.



God Bless the Great Keruffler.



"We like things."

I concur.

At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak.


A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart.


You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.


But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.

"Honey, now that I'm not King, let's buy things." 

Some of Wallis' jewels. 

Can you imagine how fun this last meeting of mother and son was?

And, he died.