Layaway - sold
Measurements
Size: Extra Small
Bust: 32 inches + 82 cm
(measured across back and not allowing for cups which would accommodate a little more)
Waist: 24 inches + 61 cm
Bodice length from top of bust to waist: 10 inches + 25 cm
Hips: free
Total length from top of bust to hem : 39 inches + 100 cm
Description
* Exquisite 1952 ivory polished cotton designer dress
* Asian inspired pattern from the 1952 Collection "Flight to Japan"
* Classic silhouette with cinched waist and very full skirt
* Strapless bodice with contrasting tangerine piping
* Attached stole at back of bodice with one side in tangerine cotton
* Dress secures at front with tangerine cotton covered buttons.
* Bodice has cream cotton lining and stays for support and structure
* Skirt is gathered with pockets at both side seams
* Label reads "Carolyn Schnurer"
Carolyn Schnurer
During her twenty-year career in fashion, from 1944 to 1964, Carolyn Schnurer was a pioneer in the newly emerging American sportswear industry. Directing her designs toward young active women, Schnurer developed coordinates and dresses that were unfussy, required minimal foundation garments and could be worn for a variety of occasions. She was particularly renowned for her culturally-inspired resort collections, rather than producing blatantly costumed designs. Schnurer's work maintained a classic American silhouette while incorporating cultural themes in fabric selection or construction detail.
Carolyn was renowned for researching different cultures and interpreting these into her dress and textile designs. An essential part of her extensive research was to actually visit a country to gain in-depth knowledge of its architecture, environment and customs.
This particular dress is from Schnurer’s 1952 “Flight to Japan" collection and highlights her inspirational dress design techniques and use of unusual textile patterns. Two other dresses from this same collection are displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition to traveling to Japan for inspiration, she also made stops in Hong Kong and Myanmar (Burma). Later research saw her travel to many different lands for her collections.
A Carolyn Schnurer design comes up for sale very rarely and this is a wonderful opportunity to purchase your very own piece of fashion history!!
Comment
This dress is in excellent vintage condition for its age free from rips, major stains, notable fading or holes. There may be a couple of tiny spots here or there but nothing immediately obvious. The dress appears to have been hardly worn. One point I would like to make is to emphasise the versatility of the dress design. The attached stole can be worn in different ways - apart from the most obvious shown in photos 1 and 2. For example, I have shown it used as a cummerbund sash showing the front effect in photo 4 and what it looks like from the back in photo 5. I am sure you can come up with may different ways to wear this unique dress! The last photo highlights where the base of the stole is attached to the dress itself - across the back side seams.
I would also like to point out that that there is nothing wrong with the top button of the dress it's just that I couldn't secure it on my mannequin. We are more than happy to answer any inquires about this item.
Our photos are taken with a mix of studio and ambient lighting. Whilst we take care with the colour balance of our photos, individual computer monitors register colours differently depending on their calibration. If you want the exact colour shade drop us a line and we will give you the Universal Pantone colours that match the item.
LayBys/Layaways
Yes we do offer flexible layby/layaway options and are open to negotiation as to the time period. Obviously, the more expensive the item the longer the time you will have to finalise payment. Contact us to see how accommodating we can be :)
If you are looking for something that you don't currently find in our shop - let us know we may be able to help you with a special listing!
This item is within our selling stock. In the unlikely event that two buyers purchase this item concurrently, payment will be immediately refunded to the latter purchaser. We apologise in advance if this rare circumstance arises.