Japon met lijf van wijnrode geribde satijn en klokrok van beige satijn, deel van ensemble 1948

This ensemble with a wine-red ribbed satin body and beige satin flared skirt was crafted by mevrouw Stapelveld. Fashion is a fascinating cultural artifact. The cut of a dress, like the forms of painting and sculpture, always speaks volumes about the society that produced it. The elegant simplicity of this dress, with its emphasis on the waist and flowing lines, reflects the interwar period's changing ideals of femininity. It evokes a sense of understated luxury, with its rich satin fabrics and careful attention to detail. The choice of materials also reflects the economic realities and trade networks of the time, with satin being a coveted fabric. We should ask ourselves questions about who had access to it. Through detailed material analysis and historical research into fashion magazines and social archives, we can gain a deeper understanding of the values and aspirations of the time. The dress reminds us that clothing is never just clothing.