By Hollie Graham
Dior, Spring/Summer 97, photograph by Niall McInerney, Bloomsbury Fashion Photography Archive, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
Our love affair with the evening dress began in the early 19th century, when its popularity grew as it became fashionable at formal affairs. Always made out of luxurious fabrics, the design of the dress has changed over the years as fashion styles have progressed. Throughout the Victorian era, floor- and ankle-length dresses remained most admired, with most changes being made to the sleeves and neck lines. In the 1830s, off-the-shoulder dresses dominated; in the 1840s, low-necked designs; and in the 1850s short-sleeved gowns. In the 1860s, dresses were accessorised with long gloves and the 1890s with a long train. The Edwardian era saw the empire silhouette and in the 1920s the flapper style revolutionised the evening dress. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that the dress was exceptionally modernised and was swept up onto glamorous and innovative fashion scene.
Nina Ricci, Spring/Summer 94, photograph by Niall McInerney, Bloomsbury Fashion Photography Archive, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
The image on the left is from Nina Ricci’s Spring/Summer 1994 collection. Fabulously feminine and floral patterned. It is embellished with beads, bows and fresh flowers. The style is very different from the Dior dress, with short sleeves and wrap over skirt. The detail on the dress is beautifully delicate, yet elaborate and stunning.
Chanel Couture, Autumn/Winter 96, photograph by Niall McInerney, Bloomsbury Fashion Photography Archive, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
If you are fascinated by the luxury and creative design of the evening dress and would like to learn more, visit Berg Fashion Library and enjoy reading a free (for a limited time only) article on evening dress.
Hollie Graham is an intern at Berg Publishers, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing, and you can find their articles online at Berg Fashion Library.
Read previous Berg Fashion blog posts: “Happy Birthday, Christian Lacroix” and “London Fashion Week is fast approaching.”
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hi,
very interesting article
Can you tell me in what year the first evening dress was designed and by whom?
Thanks