cocktail dress 1940 Vintage 1940s Black Beaded Evening Dress Hollywood Glamour XL

cocktail dress 1940 Vintage 1940s Black Beaded Evening Dress Hollywood Glamour XLThis elegant vintage evening dress by Montreal designer Lillian Farrar is a striking example of sophisticated 1940s couture glamour. Crafted in fluid black silk crepe, the gown features padded shoulders, overlapped cap sleeves, an asymmetric neckline and elaborate black crystal beaded appliqu on the right shoulder and along the right neckline, down the left side of the skirt, and down the back in a design strongly evocative of Art Deco elegance and

This elegant vintage evening dress by Montreal designer Lillian Farrar is a striking example of sophisticated 1940s couture glamour. Crafted in fluid black silk crepe, the gown features padded shoulders, overlapped cap sleeves, an asymmetric neckline and elaborate black crystal beaded appliqué on the right shoulder and along the right neckline, down the left side of the skirt, and down the back in a design strongly evocative of Art Deco elegance and Old Hollywood evening wear.

The silhouette is long, graceful, and architectural, balancing strong wartime-era padded shoulders with soft draping through the body and hips. The asymmetrical neckline creates a particularly elegant effect, while the dimensional black beadwork catches the light subtly against the matte crepe background. The result is dramatic without being flashy — exactly the sort of refined glamour associated with high-end 1940s cocktail and formal fashions.

The dress cinches internally with hidden waist ties, helping to shape the silhouette while maintaining the fluid drape of the fabric. The back is especially beautiful, with a trailing arrangement of black beaded motifs descending diagonally from the shoulder to the waistline.

Label reads Lillian Farrar Montreal Creation.  This is an earlier Lillian Farrar label.  Farrar started off as a seamstress during the 1940s.  She started on St Lawrence St., moved to a suite in the Ritz Carlton and then, in 1946, she opened her first salon, located right downtown on fashionable Peel Street in Montreal, next to the Mount Royal Sheraton Hotel.  By 1957 she had grown her business to 400 regular clients and had a reputation for being ahead of the trends, even introducing styles before the Paris fashion houses.  She designed a coat for Princess Elizabeth, prior to her becoming Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of the Royal Visit to Canada in 1951.

Details

• Designer: Lillian Farrar Couture
• Origin: Montreal, Canada
• Era: 1940s
• Material: Black crepe with black bead embellishment
• Features:
• Padded shoulders
• Overlapped cap sleeves
• Asymmetrical neckline
• Extensive hand-applied beadwork
• Interior waist ties for shaping
• Elegant elongated silhouette
• Strong Old Hollywood and Art Deco influence

Measurements

The dress should fit approximately an extra large size, but please refer to measurements below.

Shoulders: 17” across from shoulder/sleeve seam to shoulder/sleeve seam.
Sleeves: 12 1/2” long from the shoulder/sleeve seam.
Bust: 46” around.
Waist: 38” around, cinches on the interior with internal ties.
Hips: 46” around.
Overall length: 52”, measured flat at the back to the hem.

Condition

Very good condition with no pronounced wear, tear, soiling, staining or odour.  This dress has been well preserved and presents itself beautifully.

This is an elegant and sculptural 1940s evening gown with Old Hollywood glamour by a well-known Montreal seamstress - fabulous piece!