Mariano Fortuny Sienna Peplos Gown
About the Item
The Peplos worn by the women in ancient greece was an outer garment . Consisting of a rectangular piece of fabric,it was arranged so that the material was folded double at the top, drawn around the body under the arms and fastened over each shoulder by a clasp or pin. As originally conceived the right side of the garment was left open. Its loose upper portion fell in large folds over the upper part of the torso and was weighted in its lower corners with metal drops.
Fortunys adaptation included terminating the over fold in deep points weighted by small glass beads.
Length front 60"
Back train 62"
Label Orange on muslin tape
Beads grey with red and blue stripes
The pleats in the fabric allow the gown to expand to fit a range of sizes.
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk, glass
- Condition:excellent.
- Seller Location:Riverdale, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU1012061769
Fortuny
Spanish fashion designer Mariano Fortuny was a true artist who worked with beautiful fabrics as his medium of choice. Although he showed talent in painting, sculpting, photography and architecture at an early age, fashion was where he really shined.
Fortuny was an innovator in the world of textile design, he drew on classical Greek tunics for his rich and interesting garments and worked with a revolutionary system for creating pleats. He designed a range of clothing for his couture house, and today, vintage Fortuny evening gowns, gemstone-colored day dresses, coats and accessories like drawstring bags are known for their fine craftsmanship and signature elegance.
Fortuny was born Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo in 1871 in Granada, into a family of artists. His father died when Fortuny was only three years old, and his mother moved the family to Paris. As a child, Fortuny was fond of experimenting and figuring out how things worked. He even dyed pieces of fabric from his family's textile collection, which had been amassed from shops around Europe.
In 1889, the family moved again, this time to Venice. Here, Fortuny found inspiration in the past, which would influence his future designs. Not long after, the young Fortuny set off to travel the continent. In 1897, he visited Paris and fell in love with a dressmaker named Henriette Negrin. She became his muse, his wife and his creative partner — Negrin worked with Fortuny on clothing designs and fabrics — and the two settled in the French capital.
A lifelong inventor, Fortuny began patenting his creations in 1901. By 1934, he had registered more than 20 patents. At the same time, his fashion career was taking off.
In 1907, he designed the Delphos gown with Negrin, which French novelist and essayist Marcel Proust described as "faithfully antique but markedly original." Fortuny had worked from his home until 1922 when increased demand required large-scale production. He opened a factory in Venice, where due to the scarcity of silk, he began experimenting with cotton.
In 1927, New York interior designer Elsie McNeill traveled to Paris to meet Fortuny and became his exclusive American distributor. She returned to the United States and introduced Fortuny's designs to New World audiences. Shops opened in Paris, New York and London. Toward the end of the 1930s, Fortuny returned to painting and stepped away from the busy fashion industry.
After Fortuny passed away in 1949, McNeill took over the label and continued running it until 1988, when it was purchased by the Riad family, who remain at the helm of Fortuny today.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Fortuny clothing and accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Riverdale, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Mariano Fortuny Rare Shell Pink Long Sleeved Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYDescription: This dress is made of finely pleated shell pink colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Mariano Fortuny Claret Delphos. Provenance Tina ChowBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated claret colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. The beads are amber glass with...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
Extremely Rare Mariano Fortuny Cotton DelphosBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis extraordinarily rare dress is made of finely pleated white cotton. Few cotton pleated Fortuny dresses have been documented and survived.
Named after a Greek clas...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- F/W 1994 Gianni Versace Gold Lame Lurex Pleated Tinsel Mini Tent DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAThis eye-catching gold lame dress is from Gianni Versace's Fall/Winter 1994 collection. With chevron and pleated patterns, this gold lame dress brilliantly reflects light and will qu...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Michael Casey Silk Chiffon & Ivory Cut Velvet Strapless Gown - 10By Michael CaseyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMichael Casey Silk Chiffon & Ivory Cut Velvet Strapless Gown - 10. This gorgeous gown is in excellent condition. It features a gorgeous ivory silk chiffon material, paneled velvet ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Whims of California Two Piece Pants & Maxi Vest Dress, 1960'sLocated in Atlanta, GAThis two piece pants and maxi vest by Whims of California has all the bells and whistles for chic 1960's party attire. The 100% cotton construction has the appearance of painted or ...Category
1960s American Trouser Pant Suits
- 1960s Malcolm Starr Green Pink Metallic Floral Print DressBy Malcolm StarrLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1960s Malcolm Starr Gown in Green, Pink, gold and blue print sleeveless gown. Perfect for wedding or cocktail event . Waist is encrusted with multi color jeweled. Bust: 34” / waist ...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- Vick Tiel Pink Lace Beaded Strapless Gown, Circa 1980By Vicky TielLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a light pink lace strapless gown by Vicky Tiel, from the 1980's. The gown has scattered bead work throughout, a constructed bodice with boning, zipper up the back, pink satin...Category
1980s French Evening Gowns
- Ungaro Beaded Embroidered Evening Dress, Size 36FRBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRUngaro-Emanuel Ungaro Couture - Paris Bolduc: 3194-5-94 Dress composed of three red and beige silk linings fully embroidered with red beads, woven threads and raffia in a foliage and...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses