Evening dress 1893 - 1897

This exquisite evening dress was made by Rouff, a Parisian fashion house, sometime around the turn of the 20th century. It's a symphony of lace, silk, and delicate embroidery, embodying the elegance and opulence of the Belle Époque. The dress speaks volumes about the social codes of the time. The elaborate design and expensive materials signal the wearer's wealth and status. The restrictive corset, though unseen, dictated posture and movement, reinforcing the constraints placed upon women in this era. Dresses such as this played a crucial role in constructing identity and solidifying social hierarchies. To truly understand this garment, we can delve into fashion plates, journals, and social commentaries from the period. By examining these sources, we can appreciate the evening dress as a symbol of its time, reflecting both the beauty and the social complexities of a bygone era.