Blouse - 1870s French Embossed Silk
Couture antique French silk, c. 1870 melds perfectly with Takase pearl buttons from Occupied Japan. Buttons and fabric made 70 years apart fit so well together they could be made for one another. This shirt features an elegant lining designed to provide extra coverage over the bust. This piece can easily attend a black tie event and be the center of conversation.
Fabric
French embossed silk c. 1870. Cream ivory colored. Luminescent. The embossing on the shirt resembles delicate oval leaves on a stem and gives it a gorgeous 3-D texture. This elegant silk was sourced from an antique textile collector. The narrow width of the fabric — less than 22” — is indicative of its antique status. The fine embossing, stunning quality, and durability of this silk indicate that it is likely from France, likely Lyons. By the end of the nineteenth century, Lyons was the silk capital of the world, owing to government investments by the court of Louis XIV, whose ambition it was to have a glittering court at Versailles.
Buttons
These mother of pearl buttons were made in Japan between 1945 (the end of World War II) and 1952, a period in which Allied Forces occupied the country. The buttons are made from “Takase” shell, considered the most beautiful but the most difficult and expensive shell to work with in order to make mother of pearl buttons.
Sizing Details
This blouse is a Medium, which means it is designed to accommodate U.S. sizes 2 through 8. View our detailed size chart and int'l sizes here. The measurements of this specific garment accommodate a bust of up to 38" and a waist of up to 35.5". It is 24.5" long in the front.
Couture antique French silk, c. 1870 melds perfectly with Takase pearl buttons from Occupied Japan. Buttons and fabric made 70 years apart fit so well together they could be made for one another. This shirt features an elegant lining designed to provide extra coverage over the bust. This piece can easily attend a black tie event and be the center of conversation.
Fabric
French embossed silk c. 1870. Cream ivory colored. Luminescent. The embossing on the shirt resembles delicate oval leaves on a stem and gives it a gorgeous 3-D texture. This elegant silk was sourced from an antique textile collector. The narrow width of the fabric — less than 22” — is indicative of its antique status. The fine embossing, stunning quality, and durability of this silk indicate that it is likely from France, likely Lyons. By the end of the nineteenth century, Lyons was the silk capital of the world, owing to government investments by the court of Louis XIV, whose ambition it was to have a glittering court at Versailles.
Buttons
These mother of pearl buttons were made in Japan between 1945 (the end of World War II) and 1952, a period in which Allied Forces occupied the country. The buttons are made from “Takase” shell, considered the most beautiful but the most difficult and expensive shell to work with in order to make mother of pearl buttons.
Sizing Details
This blouse is a Medium, which means it is designed to accommodate U.S. sizes 2 through 8. View our detailed size chart and int'l sizes here. The measurements of this specific garment accommodate a bust of up to 38" and a waist of up to 35.5". It is 24.5" long in the front.
Couture antique French silk, c. 1870 melds perfectly with Takase pearl buttons from Occupied Japan. Buttons and fabric made 70 years apart fit so well together they could be made for one another. This shirt features an elegant lining designed to provide extra coverage over the bust. This piece can easily attend a black tie event and be the center of conversation.
Fabric
French embossed silk c. 1870. Cream ivory colored. Luminescent. The embossing on the shirt resembles delicate oval leaves on a stem and gives it a gorgeous 3-D texture. This elegant silk was sourced from an antique textile collector. The narrow width of the fabric — less than 22” — is indicative of its antique status. The fine embossing, stunning quality, and durability of this silk indicate that it is likely from France, likely Lyons. By the end of the nineteenth century, Lyons was the silk capital of the world, owing to government investments by the court of Louis XIV, whose ambition it was to have a glittering court at Versailles.
Buttons
These mother of pearl buttons were made in Japan between 1945 (the end of World War II) and 1952, a period in which Allied Forces occupied the country. The buttons are made from “Takase” shell, considered the most beautiful but the most difficult and expensive shell to work with in order to make mother of pearl buttons.
Sizing Details
This blouse is a Medium, which means it is designed to accommodate U.S. sizes 2 through 8. View our detailed size chart and int'l sizes here. The measurements of this specific garment accommodate a bust of up to 38" and a waist of up to 35.5". It is 24.5" long in the front.
ABOUT THIS PIECE
1870 French silk & 1950s Japanese Takase pearl buttons.
Luminescent, lightweight cream silk pairs with reflective natural mother of pearl in a stunning silk blouse perfect for formal attire.
Designed & made in Houston, Texas
