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Dress
Maker
Florine Phaneuf
(?-1949)
Marks or LabelsWoven into Petersham belt (inside bodice): MONTREAL / Phaneuf / 229. RUE BLEURY
Date
1920-1929
Medium / Technique
Metallic silk organza, China silk, silk crepe, silk velvet, silk net, silk tulle, gold metallic ribbon, boning, silk tape, silver metal snaps, silver metal hook and eye, silk grosgrain ribbon
Dimensions139.9 cm (length); bust: 74.2 cm (circumference); waist: 65.4 cm (circumference); sleeve: 12.3 cm (length)
ClassificationPersonal Objects - Clothing - Main Garments
Origin
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, North America
Object NumberM2012.25.1
CollectionMcCord
CreditGift of Marie Robert
NotesExhibition Costume Balls - Dressing Up History, 1870-1927
Signora Silvestro Valier
This dress, purchased in a thrift shop 50 years ago, contained a clue in its label. In a 1942 interview, high-end Montreal dressmaker Florine Phaneuf recalled a gown she had created for the character of the wife of a Venetian doge at this ball. Valier was the only such character, and his wife’s published costume description corresponds to this dress, leading us to its owner, Hylda Hodgson, and identifying it as one of Phaneuf’s favourite creations! Unfortunately, no photograph of her in the dress has been found.
Signora Silvestro Valier
This dress, purchased in a thrift shop 50 years ago, contained a clue in its label. In a 1942 interview, high-end Montreal dressmaker Florine Phaneuf recalled a gown she had created for the character of the wife of a Venetian doge at this ball. Valier was the only such character, and his wife’s published costume description corresponds to this dress, leading us to its owner, Hylda Hodgson, and identifying it as one of Phaneuf’s favourite creations! Unfortunately, no photograph of her in the dress has been found.
Status
On viewInformation about the objects in our collection is updated to reflect new research findings. If you have any information to share regarding this object, please email reference.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca.Information about rights and reproductions is available here.
This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation and Canadian Heritage.