La Belle Epoque Courtier Dress

You literally begged for the Duchess gown to be made available in a new demi length! Still with the drama and overt Rococo references of our original gown, the demi length Courtier is more wearable for tea parties, daytime fanciful gatherings, and on-the-go photoshoots!

Romantic midi length dress with ruffles and bow adornments
The Duchess silhouette is inspired by gowns worn by Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire and Marie Antoinette
Layered organza skirt
Bodice with full boning for support and self tie bows running down the centre
Sweet puff sleeves
Dramatic curtain front detailing to the skirt, enhanced by double ruffle placement
Full lining
Handmade

Our Courtier Dress is available in the very delicately created Belle Époque print. She's a dreamy soft ivory background laced with blue floral damask. We have translated this print directly from French wallpaper references found at Versailles. Maybe even Marie Antoinette herself chose this delicate damask.

We named this pattern La Belle Époque, which is not only a beautiful phrase, but did you know La Belle Époque is also actually a historical period at the end of the eighteenth century that is often referred to as the 'golden age'? It is characterised as an era of beautiful fashions and luxury living, a time when high couture designers from around the world were defining a new mood of grace, beauty and femininity.

Clothes from the time were highly indulgent and overtly elaborate, we would see them nowadays as 'costumes' or bridal wear. Yet although this period was fleeting, lasting less than 25 years, it has had a profound impact on how we see fashion today. Our newest creation, La Belle Époque Courtier, has been designed as a celebration of this gilded period in fashion. She is our tribute to overt femininity, to excess, and to our freedom to translate historical fashions into modern day wearable pieces.

We may have lost some of the optimism and artistry of La Belle Époque, but we can still dream of her whilst wearing this fussy little dress. Sip candy coloured cocktails and pick at fussy miniature desserts, all whilst wearing your best lace trimmed gloves. It's all in the celebration of excess! And true excess is something we believe in to abandonment at Fanciful Doll.