Circa 1920

Paris

Amazing Chinese inspiration bolero by Madeleine Vionnet dating from the early 1920s. Its red chain-stitch embroidered label indicates that it was made in the early period of the famous designer. Bolero with kimono sleeves, densely machine-embroidered in chain stitch on green-yellow satin. The interlacing design of flowering stems with small stylised balls is reminiscent of the Ballets Russes and French Surrealists! Front fastening with 31 matching buttons (all with different designs). No lining or flaws. Very good colour and condition.

Dimensions: Equivalent to French size 38-40. Measured flat: sleeve to sleeve 105 cm, chest 57 cm, hips 55 cm, height 61 cm.

Madeleine Vionnet (1876-1975) was the couturier of absolute modernity!  She exerted a major influence on 20th-century fashion, with her mastery of the bias cut and draping, the possibilities of which she exploited to the full. She created evening dresses that moulded the body and emphasised its shape. She began her career at Maison Callot Soeur, then at Jacques Doucet. In 1912, following the immense success of her designs at Doucet, she opened her own house at 222 rue de Rivoli in Paris, where the whole of Paris began to flock. There she invented the city coat. From 1920 to 1930, she gave free rein to her passion for flowers with corolla skirts and, above all, heaps of roses in headbands,