Dressmakers Collection

Advertisement for Elspeth Phelps, 1920s fashion
Advertisement for Elspeth Phelps of Albemarle St, London, part of a series depicting tongue in cheek scenes of society ladies (in this case the fictional Miss Coloothorne Coppit)

Advertisement for Elspeth Phelps, 1920s fashion
Advertisement for Elspeth Phelps of Albemarle St, London, part of a series depicting tongue in cheek scenes of society ladies (in this case the fictional Miss Lobelia Lobb)

Reville court dress advertisement, 1927
Advertisement for Reville Ltd, dressmakers of Hanover Square, who specialised in particular in gowns for court presentations, approved by Their Majesties for Ladies attending. Date: 1927

Advertisement for Reville, 1920s fashion
Advertisement for Reville of Hanover Square, one of the leading fashion houses of the 1920s favoured by smart society, offering original gowns for all seasons, all climates, every occasion. Date: 1920

Curry&rice / Dressmakers
The Colonels lady with native dressmakers ironing and measuring for a new outfit

Neva. Les meilleures pour familles et ateliers, c. 1890. Creator: Tamagno, Nicolas (1862-1933)
Neva. Les meilleures pour familles et ateliers, c. 1890. Private Collection

Chadwick's Cotton Sewing Thread, 1890. Creator: Anonymous
Chadwick's Cotton Sewing Thread, 1890. Private Collection

Helvetia, machines à coudre, 1890. Creator: Anonymous
Helvetia, machines a coudre, 1890. Private Collection

Pfaff, c. 1900. Creator: Reijs, F. (active ca 1900)
Pfaff, c. 1900. Private Collection

Athos, 1895. Creator: Tabouret, Émile (1850-1927)
Athos, 1895. Private Collection

La White, machine à coudre américaine , c. 1912. Creator: Anonymous
La White, machine a coudre americaine , c. 1912. Private Collection

La légère rapide New Home , c. 1889. Creator: Anonymous
La legere rapide New Home , c. 1889. Private Collection

Y.W.C.A., between c1915 and 1918. Creator: Bain News Service
Y.W.C.A., between c1915 and 1918. Women making dresses at the Y.W.C.A during World War I. One dress has a striped skirt and star-patterned top which resembles an American flag.

Machines à coudre françaises Hurtu, 1889. Creator: Anonymous
Machines a coudre francaises Hurtu, 1889. Private Collection

Machine à coudre Elias Howe, 1906. Creator: Wallace, Richard William (1872-1927)
Machine a coudre Elias Howe, 1906. Private Collection

Singer Machines , 1891. Creator: Anonymous
Singer Machines , 1891. Private Collection

Dewhurst Sewing Thread, 1890. Creator: Anonymous
Dewhurst Sewing Thread, 1890. Private Collection

"The Industrious Needlewomen" - painted by M. Trayer - from the Exhibition of French Artists, 1856. We are happy to learn that the Exhibition which has been opened in Liverpool

Working women, c. 1725. Creator: Ceruti, Giacomo Antonio (1698-1767)
Working women, c. 1725. Found in the Collection of the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo, Brescia

Working women, c. 1725. Creator: Ceruti, Giacomo Antonio (1698-1767)
Working women, c. 1725. Found in the Collection of the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo, Brescia

The "Duke of Portland", Emigrant Ship, for Port Phillip, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The "Duke of Portland", Emigrant Ship, for Port Phillip, 1850. Sailing ship leaving Gravesend in Kent with settlers bound for Australia

Emigrant Ship, between Decks, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Emigrant Ship, between Decks, 1850. Sailing ship bound for the colonies, showing:..female emigrants making their arrangements for the voyage...[The women were enabled to emigrate by] the movement

Emigrant Needlewomen on Deck, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Emigrant Needlewomen on Deck, 1850. Sailing ship bound for the colonies. The women were enabled to emigrate by...the movement on behalf of the distressed needlewomen or London...the ladies

Advert, L & H Nathan, Fancy Dress Costume
Advert for L & H Nathan, Coventry Street, Piccadilly Circus, London -- Fancy Dress Costume for balls and theatricals. 1885

Norman Hartnell and Lady Willingdon
Norman Hartnell (1901-1979), fashion designer and dressmaker to the royal family, with Marie Freeman-Thomas, Marchioness of Willingdon (1875-1960) at Aix-les-Bains. Date: 1939

Designs for women's summer dresses. The patterns were available to order for home dressmakers. Date: 1932

Designs for women's coat-frocks. The patterns were available to order for home dressmakers. Date: 1932

Designs for women's dresses. The patterns were available to order for home dressmakers. Date: 1932

Women dressmakers on a course at the Needleworkers Union, Paris (b / w photo)
5207869 Women dressmakers on a course at the Needleworkers Union, Paris (b/w photo) by Geniaux, Paul (1873-1914); Private Collection; (add.info)

Women members of the Needleworkers Union in Paris during a meal break (b / w photo)
5207870 Women members of the Needleworkers Union in Paris during a meal break (b/w photo) by Geniaux, Paul (1873-1914); Private Collection; (add.info)

Dressmakers, Matthias Otto Junior, trade card (engraving)
984079 Dressmakers, Matthias Otto Junior, trade card (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dressmakers, Matthias Otto Junior, trade card. Date, c 1760)

A D Cook, tailor, habit and pelisse maker, trade card (engraving)
731594 A D Cook, tailor, habit and pelisse maker, trade card (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A D Cook, tailor, habit and pelisse maker)

A tailor in Venice (engraving)
729459 A tailor in Venice (engraving) by Bls, Eugen von (1843-1931) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A tailor in Venice. Engraving by after original artowrk by Eugene de Bls)

Meeting of striking tailors and dressmakers at the Paris Labour Exchange (colour litho)
2782178 Meeting of striking tailors and dressmakers at the Paris Labour Exchange (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Sale room at Felix dressmakers, Paris (colour photo)
3098695 Sale room at Felix dressmakers, Paris (colour photo) by French Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sale room at Felix dressmakers, Paris)

Dressmakers. Artist: Lilian Amy Govey Date: 1920

J As Shorters, tailor, trade card (engraving)
731578 J As Shorters, tailor, trade card (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: J As Shorters, tailor, trade card)

Running race for young women dressmakers (colour litho)
2795778 Running race for young women dressmakers (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Running race for young women dressmakers. La course des Midinettes)

Elias Howes first sewing machine (chromolitho)
2782761 Elias Howes first sewing machine (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Elias Howes first sewing machine)

Dressmakers workroom in London 1858
Interior of the working conditions of a dressmakers workroom in the west-end of London. With women over worked and tired at five-past twelve midnight. 1858

Le Bon Marche, 1893 (woodcut)
CH466666 Le Bon Marche, 1893 (woodcut) by Vallotton, Felix Edouard (1865-1925); 20.2x26.1 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Swiss, out of copyright

Maude (colour litho)
3642904 Maude (colour litho) by Hardy, Dudley (1867-1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: Maude. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Indian tailoring (chromolitho)
2782762 Indian tailoring (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Indian tailoring. Liebig card, published in late 19th or early 20th century)

Ladies Sewing (oil on panel)
BAL91235 Ladies Sewing (oil on panel) by Trayer, Jules (1824-1908); 33x40.6 cm; Private Collection; Haynes Fine Art at the Bindery Galleries, Broadway; French, out of copyright

Cartoon on womens costume, early 17th Century (engraving)
3646764 Cartoon on womens costume, early 17th Century (engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cartoon on womens costume, early 17th Century)

Thompson, tailor and ladies habit maker, trade card (engraving)
731601 Thompson, tailor and ladies habit maker, trade card (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Thompson, tailor and ladies habit maker)

Feast of St Catherine, patron saint of clothing workers (colour litho)
2779983 Feast of St Catherine, patron saint of clothing workers (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Feast of St Catherine)

Belle Epoque Paris, Fashionable lady, trying on a dress (colour litho)
5198084 Belle Epoque Paris, Fashionable lady, trying on a dress (colour litho) by Guillaume, Albert (1873-1942); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fashionable lady, trying on a dress)

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Step back in time to the glamorous world in the 1920s and 1930s. Elspeth Phelps, a renowned fashion designer, captivated the era with her exquisite creations that epitomized the spirit of the Roaring Twenties. Her advertisements showcased stunning flapper dresses, adorned with intricate beading and daring hemlines that celebrated women's newfound freedom. Reville court dress advertisement from 1927 transported us to an era of opulence and elegance. The image depicted a regal lady donning an enchanting gown fit for royalty. Reville's designs were synonymous with sophistication, catering to those who desired nothing but the finest attire. Curry&rice / Dressmakers brought their unique touch to this vibrant period by infusing Eastern influences into their designs. Their fusion creations blended rich colors and exotic patterns, captivating fashion enthusiasts seeking something out-of-the-ordinary. Norman Hartnell had the honor of dressing Lady Willingdon in his impeccable designs. His name became synonymous with luxury as he created breathtaking garments for high society events. Together, they embodied grace and style that left onlookers mesmerized. In 1932, home dressmakers could order patterns for women's summer dresses from various designers. These patterns allowed individuals to unleash their creativity while staying up-to-date with current trends – empowering them to become their own couturiers. The same year also saw an array of women's coat-frocks available as pattern orders for home dressmakers. These stylish ensembles combined practicality with elegance – perfect for modern-day women juggling multiple roles effortlessly. Women across the country eagerly ordered patterns for dresses designed by talented creators in 1932. From chic daywear options to dazzling evening gowns, these patterns offered endless possibilities for self-expression through fashion. L & H Nathan introduced a touch of whimsy through fancy dress costumes advertised during this era – providing an opportunity for people to escape reality and embrace their alter egos.