I am very excited to bring you our latest mini capsule collection. This is one of nine dresses from a single owner collection. Her collection was lovingly sourced over decades and she has decided that it is time let them back out into the world for others to enjoy. For this capsule we have moved forward to the 1940s and 1950s. Really good examples from this era are becoming increasingly hard to find and these are all gorgeous little examples of that time period. This is just a tiny sampling of her overall collection and I hope to have more of these capsules for you in the future.

Adolph Schuman started the Lilli Ann company in 1933 and named it after his wife Lillian. This dress is from one of the earlier labels and is from the earlier part of the 1940s. We know this because right after the second war ended Adolph went to Paris and the subsequent labels had 'Paris' added to them. The label was known for their beautiful work and this is a stunning early and rare example of their work.

This stunning little dress combines an inky black velvet that runs down the center of the dress and then the rest of the dress is a teal brocade that has an amazing detailing applied over its surface. The fabric is amazing. The detailing on it is a looped metallic ribbon that has a raised effect off of the fabric. It is set in swirling curves that follow the design in the brocade underneath. I’ve never seen anything like it. The swirling design gives an extra bit of detailing and adds a metallic glint to the entire surface. The cut of the dress is equally unusual. The two fabrics meet at the top of the shoulders with the black velvet set underneath. It is cut into a V at the front and the shoulders are set wide so they fall slightly to the edge of your shoulders. This then wraps around you to create another V at the back. At the front the wide panel of velvet extends down from there and runs down the center of the dress to the hem. The rest of the dress is made of the teal brocade and it comes up and wraps around the back of the neck. This creates this unique double neck and shoulder detailing that is gorgeous. It nips in at the waist and the black velvet at the center makes the waist feel even smaller. The skirt falls from under there and it is very full. I have shown it with a light crinoline underneath, but even without that, it is almost as full because there is so much fabric in the skirt. If you added more of an underskirt you could make it a true cupcake feeling dress. The colours are stunning and that fabric is beautiful. Excellent condition with a small note below.

The bodice is lined in a black silky rayon and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a back metal zipper and hooks to close at the back. I see a bit of flattening in the front velvet panel bit it is minor. It just makes the light catch the velvet in some spots differently than others. You can see it in the photos here.

Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 29.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# D643

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I am very excited to bring you our latest mini capsule collection. This is one of nine dresses from a single owner collection. Her collection was lovingly sourced over decades and she has decided that it is time let them back out into the world for others to enjoy. For this capsule we have moved forward to the 1940s and 1950s. Really good examples from this era are becoming increasingly hard to find and these are all gorgeous little examples of that time period. This is just a tiny sampling of her overall collection and I hope to have more of these capsules for you in the future.

This stunning little dress is from the Jobere label out of New York and it is made from a bright emerald dress silk satin mixed with a cotton muslin and beaded detailing.  This is a fabulously beautiful little labelled 1950s piece. It is very well-made. The colour is spectacular and I love the contrast the green has with that detailing that runs around the top of the bodice. The panel there is made out of a pale nude cotton muslin. Its edges are finished with hand done bead-work and prong set glass rhinestones. The neckline sits wide across so that you see the collarbone. It curves up and over the shoulders to create tiny cap shoulders. The green falls under that and there’s a bit of an illusion that it’s extremely low busted by the way the green is curved underneath the bust. The waist nips in and then the skirt flares out. The dress has its own built in underskirts so it is full on its own. For some of these photos I added a light crinoline but it is full even without. It is very pretty and fresh feeling. Excellent condition with a note below.

The dress is fully lined and has its own attached inner tulle skirts. It closes with a back zipper. The beads and rhinestones are hand applied. Slightest barely fade at the edge under the arm. There is light fraying to the very edges of the shoulders - please see the photos after the label shot.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 42" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# D644

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.