1930s black velvet party dress ‘Original Junior by Dorsa’ with puffed sleeves and eyelet lace trim - Fashion Originators Guild Of America

From my own collection, purchased from the US many years ago and never worn!

A black cotton velvet very late 30s to early 40s party frock, featuring a wonderful novelty bejewelled svarovski studs and gold articulated chain fastener to front. It hooks behind each stud to fasten in a slightly corseted effect.

The bodice is fitted and fastens to one side with a lightning metal zip - period replacement as close as possible for the original broken one which I will include, as it was an early ‘kover-zip’.

The heavily puffed sleeves and neckline are trimmed in a lovely eyelet style lace, with black velvet bows. 

The back yoke seam is piped with a dipped semi-circle feature for added interest, and the the piping is echoed at the waist seam.

You can read about the F.O.G.A. here: https://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/fashion-originators-guild/

Infact the label from this dress is a photo entry from me, I’d forgotten! 

Measures: Approx a modern UK8? XS

Bust approx 32” plus cup room. 

Waist measures 24” comfortably, 25” at full stretch!

Hips free as full skirt

Length from nape to hem approx 39” (hand hemmed with small 3/4” hem allowance)

 Condition: overall it’s very good as has been stored by me for many years! 

- yellowing to label, and the lace is darker at the neck edge where it has been worn folded under. I haven't cleaned as my good dry cleaner has retired. You could try if you have a sympathetic one!

- I found one small spot to back of skirt approx  6” up from hem (photographed) but hidden in the fullness of the skirt when worn. Under macro setting you can see it’s maybe paint? As there are flecks surrounding which look like dust to the naked eye. I did brush off a few with a stuff brush but the remaining are really not too obvious. Please see photos. 

- Two of the red gems are period replacements.. I can’t even tell you how long it took me to find the correct ones! I’ll include spares too as I had to buy a qty from a supplier of old stock Swarovski.