Circa 1915-1920
France Paris
Orientalist dress or djellaba in lamé inspired by the ikat design of the Adras silks from Bukhara in Uzbekistan. Minimalist sac cut, sleeveless, wide and straight, with silver lamé piping around the edges. The satin-backed weaving on a Jacquard loom probably comes from Bianchini-Ferrier manufacture in Lyon. Woven label indicating Babani 98 bd Haussmann Paris. No lining. No defects apart from a discreet rust stain at the bottom. Good condition.

Dimensions: Equivalent to size 38-39 France. Height 124 cm, shoulders 39 cm, chest 93 cm, waist 90 cm, hips 96 cm.

Vitaldi Babani opened his textile and couture house in 1894 on the Boulevard Haussmann in Paris. Along with Maria Monacci Gallenga, Babani was one of the followers of the style inaugurated by Mariano Fortuny at the turn of the century. Madame Babani is considered to be the true creator, the soul of the house, although her husband, and later her son, are responsible for its management. She offered kimonos, Liberty fabrics and Fortuny's creations. She soon added her own creations, inspired by medieval, Renaissance and Oriental styles, with a strong taste for bright colours and lamé fabrics. The company closed around 1930.