These are some original photographs of Vionnet clothing dating mainly from the 1920s and 30s. Tomorrow I will have some modern colour photographs of the dresses, but it is nice to see them worn rather than statically hung on a mannequin.
More Vionnet pictures:
You can see how wonderfully the clothes drape, and what a long, clean line is created. This shape has been hugely influential to later designers such as Issey Miyake, Azzedine Alaïa, Halston and John Galliano.
Karl Lagerfeld has said that “everybody, whether he likes it or not, is under the influence of Vionnet”, and Christian Dior likewise said that “no one has ever carried the art of dressmaking further”. Looking at the photographs, many of the designs are still very modern and could be easily worn today without looking in any way dated. These are true design classics.
Model Jule Andre standing in Conde Nast’s apartment near a wood paneled wall, arranging flowers on a table, and wearing a light-colored sleeveless velvet dress by Vionnet, and a long diamond necklace with a pear-shaped emerald drop by Black, Starr and Frost, 1927
Model Jule Andre, in Conde Nast’s apartment, wearing a black velvet dress by Vionnet, with toque hat by Reboux, and precious jewelry by Charlton, 1927
1935
Black chiffon dinner dress with full skirt and sleeves shirred into points by Vionnet, 1936
unknown
1914. You can see even in this very early design, the fabric has been draped and the body freed of restriction
The famous handkerchief hem
Helen Lyons in a satin-lined, ankle-length, velvet evening wrap with asymmetrical hemline, medieval bell sleeves, and large, blue fox collar; designed by Vionnet; ring from Marcus, 1929
Model wearing full-length velvet toque coat with fur collar and cuffs by Vionnet, 1930
Model wearing crepe ’6256′ Vionnet dress with white turban, gloves, and black sleeved-cape, 1931
Notice how the leaf print increases in size down the skirt
Model, Sonia, wearing a pleated, sheer lame dress with a rhinestone strap tied behind the neck, by Vionnet, and bracelets by Mauboussin, 1937
Sonia Kolmer 1931, crepe romain pajamas by Vionnet
unknown
1936 (?)
Dancer Irene Castle in a Vionnet dress, 1922
Vionnet 1938 winter collection
1938
unknown
1937
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor in a short-sleeved Vionnet dress and belt, holding a hip-length jacket. Photgraphed 1945.
unknown
Transparent gauze overdress with silver thread stitching
Detail of Vionnet telegraph sleeve
1930s large pearlised belt buckle 
1930s green scalloped edge belt buckle 
1990s Versace Versus body con dress 
1980s pink spectacle frames by Specsavers 
1960s blue lurex brocade evening dress with sequin trim 
>The 1914 one is absolutely exquisite but I think my overall favourite is the winter 1938 dress. Perfect from every angle.
>Hi there- great posts my dear, these gowns are just so stunning and truly stylish, lovely pictures indeed x
>I'm in love with this collection of images that you've assembled!
xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com
>OMG… Vionnet 1938 collection… I'd die for a dress like that!!