evening dress

John Cavanagh 1914

Summary

Evening dress of printed metallic transparent chiffon, in a stylised floral Indian design. Simple shape with long sleeves; round neck and gathered skirt; unlined; woven label, left shoulder seam 'John Cavanagh Ready to Wear, London, 12'. The dress was worn for evening events by the wife of the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire whilst accompanying him to formal dinners. She had a long association with couture, having been dressed by Worth of London when a young woman and having known well one of the vendeuse at Dior, London. After the war her husband was based at the British Embassy in Paris and she was lent dresses by Lanvin, Schiaparelli and Dior for formal functions, and then allowed to buy them at the end of the season. John Cavanagh Ready to Wear closed its doors in 1974.