This 1930s trained silk lamé gown is the most incredible piece I've had in my collection. It has a House of Worth label, and was likely designed by Jean-Charles Worth, the grandson of Charles Frederick Worth (the originator of the Worth couture house). Pictures do not do this couture gown justice!
The fabric has a print with interwoven multicolor silk and gold metallic lamé thread. The fabric has amazing quality and weight, and has a liquid-like drape. The back of the gown has a racerback in the shoulder area, a cage back in the mid back to waist, clips covered with rhinestones that start at the cage back and descend into the skirt, and then has gathering on the lower skirt, allowing the back lower skirt to flare out. The front of the dress has gathering at the front neckline and a floral decoration on the front left shoulder--the flowers are created from the lamé fabric. The floral decoration also has velvet leaves. The front of the gown has draping through the mid-section created by gathering at a couple seams. This design feature may have been because the gown was designed for pregnancy. The skirt is bias cut. The dress fastens with hook and eyes up the back that are underneath the rhinestone clips. There is also a small metal ring just above the back hem in case the wearer wants to hook the train so it doesn't drag on the floor.
Size: medium to m/l
Bust: best for ~37-38" (model has a 34" bust, and cage back hangs slightly loose on her)
Waist: 36", which included space created by gathering; will drape smaller (shown unpinned on model who has a 28" waist)
Hip: 46", but best for 43-44" or smaller
Length: ~64-65" in front and ~69-70" in back
Condition: Very good. Tarnishing to upper straps and underarms, typical for older lamé dresses. A few clips are missing a rhinestone or two. There are a four small holes/wear spots on the front bodice, and one in the underarm. Three of the bodice holes/wear spots have been patched from behind with a modern patch. See close-up photos. If desired, the patch could be removed, and more period-appropriate repairs could be done to the wear spots/holes. Due to the rare nature of this dress, I want to leave this restoration to someone with the requisite textile restoration experience. Due to the vibrant print, none of the flaws are noticeable when dress is worn--the dress presents as excellent and can be worn as-is.