Collection: Flowers in the Attic

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Towards the end of the 1960s, a sense of nostalgia infused fashion, providing alternatives to hard-edge futuristic styles. Instead of looking forward, 1970s designers sought inspiration in the past and from the traditional dress of foreign cultures. For the bride, this could mean selecting a figure-hugging 30s-inspired sheath, a flowing kaftan, or as seen here, romanticised Victorian styles.
 
The renewed interest in Victorian and Edwardian fashions reflected aspects of popular culture such as the television dramas ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ (UK, 1971) and ‘Little House on the Prairie’ (USA, 1974) and films ‘The Great Gatsby’ (USA, 1974), ‘The Go-Between’ (UK, 1971) and ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ (Australia, 1975).  
 
Britain’s Laura Ashley was just one of many influential designers promoting romantic Victorian and Edwardian styles as an alternative to everyday fashion. Such styles were perfectly suited to bridal wear, lending a playful, buttoned up ‘prim and properness’ to the otherwise flirty frills, flounces, pretty laces and ‘little girl’ bows.  

    Gigot
    ​Final Winning Bid $100

    ​Polyester delustred satin wedding dress, 1970s
    New Zealand
     
    The soft lustre on this synthetic fabric imitates a traditional wedding fabric called peau de soie, meaning skin of silk.
     
    The designer of this dress has been very much influenced by late Victorian and Edwardian fashions as can be seen in the gigot (leg of mutton) upper sleeves with tight lower sleeves, the high collar and the full skirt with short flowing train.
     
    Rather than using a woven lace fabric, the designer has appliqued individual polyester or nylon lace motifs to nylon net. The lustre and flatness of the lace motifs indicates that they may have been cut from a length of Raschel lace which was particularly popular in the 1970s.
     
    MEASUREMENTS
    Bust: 34” (flat)
    Waist: 28”
    Hip: Free
    Centre front neck to hem: 50”
    Waist to hem: 36”
    Centre back waist to train hem: 76”

    POINTS TO NOTE
    This is a beautiful vintage dress. As such, the garment may have small flaws and marks and will never be in perfect 'fresh from the shop floor' condition but this is what makes it so charming! It has had a life before meeting you and while every effort has been made to clean, mend and steam to help it look it's best, there may still be signs of a life well lived.

    ​Most of these have been photographed but if you need further information on condition please email glorydaysmagazinelive@gmail.com mentioning the title of the dress and any queries you have.
    IMPORTANT INFORMATION
    • By submitting a bid, you must agree to purchase if you are the highest bidder as at the 30th June, 2017 at 8pm
    • The highest bid will be updated weekly on Sundays until the auction has completed
    • Payment will be arranged with the highest bidder following the end of the auction
    • Shipping costs will be added on to the final sale price once the destination is confirmed
    • Part of the proceeds of all dress sales will go towards The Aunties - a charity organisation that supports people escaping domestic violence
    • Bidders outside of New Zealand are welcome!

    Guipure
    Final Winning Bid $70

    Polyester chiffon and guipure lace wedding dress, 1970s
    New Zealand
     
    The skilful placement of heavy guipure lace and individual guipure motifs on the bodice of this dress lend it individuality, while the simple daisy motif gives the dress fashion currency.
     
    The double-layered frills on the sleeves have been made by cutting circles of fabric on the bias (or cross). This allows the lovely fall of the sleeves. The sleeves and skirt have been made of a high quality polyester chiffon which flows beautifully from the close-fitting bodice. A close-fitting underskirt of satin-backed polyester provides an opaque barrier for the translucent chiffon, a most appropriate addition for a bride.
     
    MEASUREMENTS
    Bust: 30”
    Waist: 25”
    Hip: Free
    Centre front neck to hem: 54”
    Waist to hem: 40”
    Centre back waist to train hem: 40”

    POINTS TO NOTE
    This is a beautiful vintage dress. As such, the garment may have small flaws and marks and will never be in perfect 'fresh from the shop floor' condition but this is what makes it so charming! It has had a life before meeting you and while every effort has been made to clean, mend and steam to help it look it's best, there may still be signs of a life well lived.

    ​Most of these have been photographed but if you need further information on condition please email glorydaysmagazinelive@gmail.com mentioning the title of the dress and any queries you have.
    IMPORTANT INFORMATION
    • By submitting a bid, you must agree to purchase if you are the highest bidder as at the 30th June, 2017 at 8pm
    • The highest bid will be updated weekly on Sundays until the auction has completed
    • Payment will be arranged with the highest bidder following the end of the auction
    • Shipping costs will be added on to the final sale price once the destination is confirmed
    • Part of the proceeds of all dress sales will go towards The Aunties - a charity organisation that supports people escaping domestic violence
    • Bidders outside of New Zealand are welcome!

    Butterfly
    Final Winning Bid $55

    Polyester lace wedding dress, late 1960s-early 1970s
    New Zealand
     
    The straight, column-like silhouette of this dress, together with stylistic details such as the long cuffed sleeves and standing collar, impart an Edwardian feeling to this dress.
     
    The delicate lace, incorporating tiny woven bows (like butterflies!) into the weave, lends the dress a lightness not dissimilar to the finely embroidered lawn afternoon dresses so popular in the Edwardian period.
     
    MEASUREMENTS
    Bust: 35”
    Waist: 28”
    Hip: 40”
    Centre front neck to hem: 54”
    Waist to hem: 40”
    Centre back waist to train hem: 36”

    POINTS TO NOTE
    This is a beautiful vintage dress. As such, the garment may have small flaws and marks and will never be in perfect 'fresh from the shop floor' condition but this is what makes it so charming! It has had a life before meeting you and while every effort has been made to clean, mend and steam to help it look it's best, there may still be signs of a life well lived.

    ​Most of these have been photographed but if you need further information on condition please email glorydaysmagazinelive@gmail.com mentioning the title of the dress and any queries you have.
    IMPORTANT INFORMATION
    • By submitting a bid, you must agree to purchase if you are the highest bidder as at the 30th June, 2017 at 8pm
    • The highest bid will be updated weekly on Sundays until the auction has completed
    • Payment will be arranged with the highest bidder following the end of the auction
    • Shipping costs will be added on to the final sale price once the destination is confirmed
    • Part of the proceeds of all dress sales will go towards The Aunties - a charity organisation that supports people escaping domestic violence
    • Bidders outside of New Zealand are welcome!