Antique Boué Soeurs lingerie dress

Item details 

Straight from a museum archive is this rare Boué Soeurs attributed lingerie gown. Cotton and tulle; cutwork and hand embroidery throughout of birds, dragonflies and a girl with a floral basket most notably which is the giveaway that it is a Soeurs piece. Please note there is no tag in this dress. This piece was made between 1918-1920. 

based on very limited info on sisters Madame sylvie montegut and Baronne Jeanne d’Etreillis, these sisters worked under the maiden name of Boué. First opening in Paris in 1899, their designs were very identifiable based on the extremely feminine nature of their garments and identifiable filagree work. They incorporated the highest quality handmade lace and often times ribbons, florals, and metallics. They opened in New York in 1915 and got in legal trouble with customs around this time for importing more than 100 of their French made dresses without paying customs fees, as well as attempting to bring over their own workers from France.  Boué Soeurs allegedly went out of business in the late 1940s early 1950s. The Boué style was always consistent, pale pastel colors, fine handmade lace, nets, hyper - feminine and romantic. 

measurements 

bust 42”

waist 40”

length 50” 

hip 44”

condition 

great; we had this dress re inforced and mended. A few small marks from storage over time but nothing noteable it is strong and wearable for a 100 + year old dress.