A 'new' 1930s Callot Soeurs dress

Have you ever wanted to own your own Callot Soeurs dress?  Me too...and now I finally do!   

A few months ago I was going through some stored 1920s dress and made a most remarkable discovery.  In a crate of dresses (don't worry, the are nicely folded in acid free tissue) that I'd purchased last year, I "re-found" a 1930s dress with a label still attached.  A NOS 1930s dress is special enough, but when I red the tag I almost pasted out.  I sat there for a few minutes reading it over and over...it couldn't really say what I think/hope it says...CALLOT SOEURS.  Pinch me!

The dress is a dark black liquid satin with undulating soutache on the neckline.  At the waist closure there is an abstract bow.  The skirt has diagonal, bias cut gores that give the skirt an amazing drape.  The sleeves are cuffed and tied.  It has side snaps.   I have to note that I have yet cleaned it or even pressed for fear of damaging it.
But, it is in truly amazing condition!   

I've contacted a few museums in hopes of getting more information about the label itself.  I'll keep you up dated if I get any responses.

Cut-n-Paste Vintage Dresses

Although made entirely from paper and paint, these amazing dress recreations are not your normal "cut-n-paste" projects nor are they for your child's paper dolls. They were painstakingly created by Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchagrave inspired by real vintage dresses or paintings.  The exhibit is currently on display at the Hillwood Estate collection (the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post in Washington, DC).

YES, they are entirely of paper!

Left: A dress after Mariano Fortuny
Right: Based on a 1924 Red Fern of London dress

Inspired by a Pierre le Grand dress based on a 1730 design
 

Based on a 1908 Callot Soeurs dress

Left: Inspired by a Mariano Fortuny dress
Right: Based on a 1924 Lanvin dress

Check out more about the Prêt-à-Papier exhibition here: 

http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/whats/exhibitions/prêt-à-papier