April 1, 2016

Object: Afternoon Dress

Designer: Gustave Beer

Medium: Silk Chiffon, Velvet, Chantilly Lace, Metallic Thread

Date: Circa 1900

Country: France

Credit: Gift of Mrs. Rudolph R. Loening

The House of Beer is one of the many French couture houses largely forgotten by history. In the early years of the twentieth century, Beer was known for luxurious, if somewhat conservative styles. The house was successful and the label inside this dress indicates they had branches in Paris as well as Monte Carlo and Nice. This afternoon dress, with its layers of lace and chiffon, is stylish for the period but not particularly fashion forward.