“Paris gowns sold from the backs of wagons”…the best line from my favorite movie. Can you guess which one? I brought back this silk from Montmartre, when @adamlid1 and I saw it, we both said: “Tea Gown!” 😎
Tea Gowns
Tea Gowns & No. 11
Were slowly recovering from the drive back from Arizona…tubs and bags everywhere…Labor Day Weekend at No. 11 is always hectic and this one was a bit more since we were struggling to finish installation of the new curtains in the parlor as well as completing the final touches on the tea gown. It was close but we finally got it all done and managed to get some nice pictures before we had to head back to LA. 😎
Overall, the tea gown project was a great success and it actually went smoother than I initially expected- it was still a lot of work but there weren’t any issues that needed to be resolved along the way. The best part about this project is that it’s patterned off of several originals in our collection, utilizing unique fabrics that we’ve found on our various journeys through Europe that replicate those found during the 1880s and 90s. We’re definitely pleased with the result and we’re looking forward to working up further tea gown designs in the future. 😎
Tea & Nonsense At No. 11
AÂ little tea and nonsense at No. 11…because not everything in Tombstone happens in a saloon…
Last Minute Unveiling- The Tea Gown
Last minute drapery hanging and a quick shoot- yes, I finally got it finished! Currently packing the truck to get back to LA, let’s hear it for last minute successes, I’ll be chatting and posting from the road. 😎
And yes, a quick interior view… 😎
More Tea Gowns- 1885 Style
Lately it seems to be all about tea gowns here at the Atelier but when you’re on a roll… 😊 Today we feature this circa 1885 tea gown that was made by Liberty:
Liberty & Co., Tea Gown, c. 1885; Metropolitan Museum of Art (2009.300.3384)
This gown is constructed of pink and ivory silk, most likely taffeta, and is cut to give the appearance of an open robe draped over an underdress. The pink silk fashion fabric composing the outer layer is a solid color and appears to be of one piece with minimal three-quarter length sleeves. Also, although the staging is not the best, one can make out a gathered train. For the undergarment, the fashion fabric is decorated with a floral design on the skirt fore-part and it appears to have been embroidered. And just to finish everything off nicely, the neck and cuffs are of gauze/lace.
Rear View
In many respects, this tea gown incorporates the basic Aesthetic Dress style elements of a seemingly unstructured flowing silhouette, simple ornamentation, and an emphasis on practicality (although that can be a relative term). Clearly this gown was far too elegant for a simple “at-home” dress and it’s definitely meant as something more. At the same time, the gown builds on basic morning/house dress styles (the terms tend to be used interchangeably). Overall, this is a nice example of a mid-1880s tea gown and will definitely serve as a source of inspiration.