Book Review: The Long Weekend, by Adrian Tinniswood

September 12, 2016 ~ Cassidy Percoco ~ Leave a comment

I picked out The Long Weekend: Life in the English Country House, 1918-1939 from NetGalley to review here as the country house has such a prominent place in classic and historical fiction - think of how many mysteries wouldn't exist without characters being cooped up together for a country weekend! The book is exhaustive - Tinniswood … Continue reading Book Review: The Long Weekend, by Adrian Tinniswood

A Delphos Dress

December 3, 2014 ~ Cassidy Percoco ~ 2 Comments

"Delphos" dress, Mariano Fortuny, 1910-1930; CHM 1997.68.1 (pattern available at link) Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo (1871-1949) is best remembered for two things: vibrantly patterned silks and velvets, and the Delphos gown, inspired by ancient Greek chitons (themselves imported from Asia Minor), which were made from a single rectangular panel of linen or silk sewn into … Continue reading A Delphos Dress

Georges Doeuillet (1865-1930?)

October 22, 2014February 28, 2024 ~ Cassidy Percoco ~ Leave a comment

Georges Doeuillet may be the least-known couturier I've written about so far - or perhaps second, after Jenny, since his real name is generally available. The only time his name comes up is in conjunction with Doucet, when the two houses merged at the end of the 1920s. But in fact (let this not be … Continue reading Georges Doeuillet (1865-1930?)

The House of Doucet (1816-1928)

October 15, 2014February 28, 2024 ~ Cassidy Percoco ~ Leave a comment

Just as John Redfern began as a mercer, the Doucet family's business began in fabric and lace. In 1841, La Mode described the Doucets (then at 17 rue de la Paix) has having a "numerous and noble clientele", highly stylish in late spring for "trousseaus and corbeilles" - the corbeille being the gift of material wealth given to … Continue reading The House of Doucet (1816-1928)

Jeanne Adèle Bernard (1872-1962)

August 6, 2014February 28, 2024 ~ Cassidy Percoco ~ 1 Comment

Maison Jenny is one of the hardest couture firms to learn about - but if you look through fashion plates and magazines, she is all over. According to a blog, Jeanne Adèle began working under Jeanne Paquin, and then under Béchoff David (another little-known master). Her own house opened sometime between 1908 and 1910; the sources … Continue reading Jeanne Adèle Bernard (1872-1962)