Edwardian Black Ribbon White Lace Dress Inspired by Flamenco. Bodice of black lace over net lining, with V line front, and bands of beads to collarbone area. The over dress sewn into a cotton residual corset type band, the lower dress of lace over netting, with black satin ribbons tied in bands, and in layers, and with slender black beaded belt. A single red velvet rose sewn to bust front. Many of the black satin bands end in round black beads. Circa 1910 - 1912. {Approximate dimensions: 15" Shoulders, 31" Bust, 48" L.}.

Note: In the period 1908 - 1915, the Robe d'Interior, a slender, columnar design harking back to Neo-classical designs, became the dernier gout in Fashion. The form of dress was universally slender, with flouncing or other designs to attract the eye down the body. Tastes later incorporated a focus on Spanish culture, including flamenco dancing. This taste included a fascination with so called Gypsy culture. Paul Poiret's robes, as illustrated by Paul Iribe in 1908, of a striped Robe d'Interior, with rose, is one version of this dress; another is imagined as the "Vase Brisee" in 1913. Whoever styled this dress had a keen eye for contemporary design. 

Staining to front of dress from the rose; some reinforcement of light mesh toward the back plackets. Minor losses of bead, fringe.