Photos and post by Dianna Drahanchuk
On Sunday April 24th Ivan Sayers set out to prove that Vancouver’s poor reputation for unfashionable dress was just plain wrong. All the clothing on the mannequins and live models were worn, and some also made, in Vancouver.
Ivan started by showing the once again sold out event 1880’s dresses with the “horse’s bum”, all the rage in Europe at that time. With good humour he explained how world events often helped shape the style of women’s clothing through the decades. The progression ranged from “S” to “X”, to straight up and down, to natural, with emphasis or deemphasis on different parts of the body, from a mature image before WWI because men in power were older, to after WWI to a more youthful look when soldiers became the focus. Throughout, Ivan’s wit captivated the audience, entertaining while educating. I am pleased to share the following images and notes. Check SMOC’s website and Facebook page.
On Sunday April 24th Ivan Sayers set out to prove that Vancouver’s poor reputation for unfashionable dress was just plain wrong. All the clothing on the mannequins and live models were worn, and some also made, in Vancouver.
Ivan started by showing the once again sold out event 1880’s dresses with the “horse’s bum”, all the rage in Europe at that time. With good humour he explained how world events often helped shape the style of women’s clothing through the decades. The progression ranged from “S” to “X”, to straight up and down, to natural, with emphasis or deemphasis on different parts of the body, from a mature image before WWI because men in power were older, to after WWI to a more youthful look when soldiers became the focus. Throughout, Ivan’s wit captivated the audience, entertaining while educating. I am pleased to share the following images and notes. Check SMOC’s website and Facebook page.
Foreground 1886-88 dress rescued from the attic of a house slated for demolition,
back emphasized with “S” shaped silhouette; background dress after 1893
depression requiring styles more simplified and naturally shaped using less fabric.
Hollow tree in Stanley Park, 1890’s “X” shaped silhouette,
emphasis on sleeves (photo from World Archives)
Oldest known dress in collection with Vancouver label “Drysdale"
dating from the early 1907-08 belonged to a newspaper reporter (left)
Illustration from 1902 Woodward’s mail order catalogue, pouter pigeon
breast, corset shape, Art Nouveau influence wrapper housecoat (right)
Example of wrapper dress
Rana Vahabzadeh, event organizer, focuses on detail of a dress from the 1906’s - belonged to Vancouver family Spankie
After WWI the figure disappears, economics of the time dictated simplicity - a going away suit worn in 1921 with "Perfect Ladies Tailors" label (left)
1930’s Art Deco, dress styled simply to support artwork (right)
1940’s bias cut with waist as the focus with label Madame Rungè Vancouver (left)
1946 wedding outfit was short and simple due to fabric restrictions held over from WWII (right)
From 1948-54 the full skirt with cinched waist became the emphasis (left)
Early 1950’s cheongsam, style adapted from clothing worn by young Chinese scholars (right)
1958 circle skirt with stylized landscapes of Vancouver for the provincial centenary
Detail showing Hotel Vancouver and Stanley Park
1970’s saw a revival of the 30’s and 40’s style
This dress used to be worn in the 1980’s by “My Pet Juliette”, a well known Vancouver television singer
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