(A delicious example of a initially charming and relatively simple idea that grew increasingly complicated and silly over the years. I'm particularly taken with the spreading anemone tentacles -- placed "here and there" on the gown and intertwined with seaweed in the hair -- and the ludicrous head-dress given in the final description.)
1880:
AQUARIUM. Fashionable evening dress of blue and green tulle, trimmed with marine plants and ornamented with fish and shells, the octopus on one side of the skirt; veil of green tulle; hair floating on shoulders.
1887:
AQUARIUM. Fashionable evening dress of blue and green tulle, trimmed with marine plants and ornamented with fish and shells, the octopus on one side of the skirt; veil of green tulle; hair floating on shoulders. Bodice trimmed with seaweed and coral; ornaments, silver fish and coral.
GEM OF THE OCEAN, THE. The idea of this dress is taken from the anemone tanks of an aquarium. The dress, pale coraline satin; the trimmings, fringes, and groups ofnatural seaweeds, all of the most delicately-tinted kinds, small pearly shlls, and large pink anemones, imitations of the real aciniae, with their spreading tentacles placed here and there all over the dress -- on the shoulders, front of bodice, and in the hair (interspersed with seaweed), and looping up the poufs of satin on the skirt. Very palest shade of green would have a charming effect. Shell ornaments round the neck.
1896:
AQUARIUM. The idea of this dress is taken from the anemone tanks of an aquarium. The dress, pale shot coralline and green satin; the trimmings, fringes and groups of natural seaweeds, all of the most delicately-tinted kinds, small pearly shells, coral, and large pink anemones, imitations of the real actiniae, with their spreading tentacles placed here and there all over the dress -- on the shoulders, front of bodice, and in the hair (interspersed with seaweed), and looping up the satin skirt. Shells, coral, and silver fish ornaments. Character also called Gem of Ocean. On the shoulders are small silver fish with fins erect. The hem bordered with vandykes of brown plush to simulate rock. For a realistic rendering. Head-dress, a miniature aquarium with water and fish. A gown of green, silk covered with cork and seaweed.
Sources:
Holt, Ardern. Fancy Dresses Described, 2nd Edition, Illustrated. London: Debenham & Freebody, 1880.
Holt, Ardern. Fancy Dresses Described, 5th Edition. London: Debenham & Freebody, 1887.
Holt, Ardern. Fancy Dresses Described, Sixth Edition. London: Debenham & Freebody, 1896.
The 1896 edition of Holt may be found online at the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections.
This is amazing.
Posted by: Bellatrixed | April 3, 2011 at 04:06 PM