1950s Paquin Haute Couture Silk Chiffon Floral Dress

Impeccable 1950s couture dress from the London branch of the haute couture House of Paquin which closed in 1956. The crepe silk is in fine shades of salmon pink with a painterly looking water-colour floral print. The dress is a wrap style and therefore front fastening with poppers and hook and eyes closures. These are hidden behind the delicately pleated frill hem that also adorns the scoop neck collar and the hem, which falls to around the knee. The waistband is gently gathered and the dress retains its fabric belt, entirely made by hand. The dress is fully lined in charmeuse silk which has the most beautiful sheen and increases the very luxurious feel to the dress. There is an internal grosgrain waist band. In immaculate vintage condition, hardly worn and no issues of any note. Best fit for up to size UK 10-12 or US 6-8.

Designer Notes:

Jeanne Paquin, one of the oldest French haute couture houses, moved her headquarters to London in 1896 and continued to operate both sides of the English Channel. She was President of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture from 1917 to 1919 and retired in 1920. On December 31, 1953, the Paquin House merged with the House of Worth and moved to Grosvenor Street but ceased trading in 1956 after 60 years of business.


MEASUREMENTS
Bust - 40 in. (101.6 cm)
Waist - 30 in. (76.2 cm)
Hip - 38 in. (96.5 cm)
Length - 37 in. (94 cm)
Shoulders - 16 in. (40.6 cm)