1950s Cornelia Couturier Silk Cape & Dress
In the 1950s The society matrons of Toronto bought their couture directly from the houses in Europe, through the Simpsons and Eatons Couture salons or had them custom made by Cornelia Couturier who had an atelier in Toronto. Though not a member of the chambre syndicale de la haute couture, her clothing was made to the same exacting standards and the designs and workmanship rival anything being produces anywhere in the world at the time. This is an absolute beauty of an outfit that has all the fine details and workmanship the vintage collector lusts for. The silk is a twill and as fine as you see in an Hermes scarf. The dress is fitted with charming little bow details on the wide shoulder straps and ingenious seaming through the bodice and waist to accentuate your figure. The little jacket looks like a cropped cape once on. The ruffled detailing is the true delight of this set. Each of those 3 dimensional triangles are set by hand and each is lined in a red silk. The dimension and beauty this creates is spectacular. I love the little details like the cape is close by slipping the bow under the shin through proper dressmakers finished buttonholes and this detailing is mimicked on each shoulder. Incredible construction and a secret red silk lining that only the owner and those who wish it to be seen would ever guess at. Really remarkable and in person - even better! If this was a more well known label I would probably have priced it double or more then what it is at now. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a fine grade red silk and the exterior fabric is lined in a silk organza as well. Closes with two painted metal, hand set zippers - one on the inner dress and one on the exterior. The inner bodice has a built in foundation garment as shown. Hand work and finishes throughout. Each individual panel of the skirt is pieced together by hand and each curved triangle is hand set and sewn. The workmanship it to couture standards. Some yellowing just under the bust to the interior corset but it is only inside. The cape is lined in a red silk taffeta and hand finished as well. Proper buttonholes done by hand.
Dress (measured on the inner dress)
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12.5" from shoulder to seam under the bust
Skirt: 26.5" from seam under the bust to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD1698
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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SIZE GUIDE
Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.
