The Corseted Beauty

Striking evening dress featuring a memorable textile of black velvet scrolls on an ivory satin ground, creating the illusion of ironwork. This gown fully reflects the influence of the Art Nouveau aesthetic at the very end of the century ⚜️ An eternal favorite.

From the House of Worth (1898-1900) and in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Elegant designs by Italian-American designer Girolamo Giuseffi (1864-1934). A native of Naples, Italy, he settled in St. Louis in 1900 when the city’s clothing industry was strong and active.
Giuseffi ran a well-known and successful fashion house in the early part of the century under the name G.
Giuseffi Ladies’ Tailoring Company. His residence/ business in 3900 Westminster Place was described as
“a lavishly appointed, elite salon.” 💙

Garments from the collection of

Evening dress (ca. 1912)
Day dress (ca. 1906)
Evening dress (1910-14)
Evening dress (1915)
Evening dress (1910-14)

The American painter William McGregor Paxton (1869-1941) is best known as a portrait painter and co-founder of the The Guild of Boston Artists. Portraits of elegant women in handsome interiors, engaged in leisurely activities, were among some of his most sought-after works. Paxton’s subjects were often depicted in lush clothing, bathed in subtle golden light, reminiscent of Johannes Vermeer’s oeuvre.

In this collection of paintings, Paxton makes use of two lovely pieces of clothing repeatedly: a beautifully embroidered chinoiserie jacket and a pink silk gown 🩷

"The New Necklace" (1910, from the collection of )

"The Blue Book" (1914, in private collection)

"Rose and Blue" (1913, in private collection)

"The Other Door" (ca. 1917, in private collection)

"Bellissima" (1912, in private collection)

"The Embroidered Jacket" (1916, )

Silk evening dress with oakleaf motif embroidered in cream silk cord and chenille by House of Worth (ca. 1903) 💛

Worn by Lady Curzon. From the collection of Fashion Museum Bath.

Silk, satin, and velvet evening dress with jeweled butterfly appliques by the House of Worth (ca. 1910) 💜

Sold by Whitaker Auctions.

Queen Maud of Norway's stunning silk tulle evening gown with sequin embroidery, lace trim, and silk and sequin tassels (ca. 1905-10) 🩵

From the collection of Nasjonalmuseet, Oslo.

"Les Hortensias Bleus" silk satin and tulle evening dress by Jacques Doucet (ca. 1898-1906) ✨

Doucet was commissioned by Jeanne Marie Delaville Le Roux to create a dress inspired by a collection of poems of the same name by Count Robert de Montesquiou, published in 1896.

From the collection of Palais Galliera, Fashion Museum of the City of Paris 💙

Beaded ivory satin evening gown with appliquéd flower-heads of alternating ivory velvet and black tulle by L&H Nathan, London (ca. 1900) 🌹

Sold by Kerry Taylor Auctions.

The masterful Italian designer Piero Tosi was born on this day in 1927 in Florence. The visionary costume designer was known for his meticulous approach to historical accuracy, leaving behind an enduring influence on both fashion and cinema ♥️

Costumes realized by Tirelli Costumi.


1-2 Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) (1963)

3-4 The Lady of the Camellias (1981)

5-7 Ludwig (1973)

8-9 L’innocente (1976)

10 Storia di una capinera (1993)

11 Morte a Venezia (Death in Venice) (1971)

12-13 La Traviata(1982)

14 Don Carlo (1991)

Satin and tulle evening dress with a phoenix motif and pearly sequins and turquoise cabochons embroidery. Made by Maison Laferrière (ca. 1910s) 🩵

From Tessier & Sarrou et Associés auctions.