Mariano Fortuny Claret Delphos. Provenance Tina Chow

This dress is made of finely pleated claret colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. The beads are amber glass with white striations. Hand painted label reads" Fortuny, Depose, Made in Italy".



Named after a Greek classical sculpture, the Delphos Gown was a simple column of vertical pleats permanently set in silk by a process never successfully duplicated Fortunys delphos was an interpretation of the chiton, involving the introduction of his minute pleated fabrics. the columnar dress is either sleeveless, short or long sleeved, the neck is controlled by a drawstring and the sleeves can be closed on the shoulders by seaming or cording in a lacing , with glass bead trim .



In the early 20th century avant-garde american dancers Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis wore Fortunys designs because of their interest in the body and movement ,and also their aesthetic appeal . Originally made to be worn as tea gowns for entertaining at home only, the delphos and peplos gowns were seen outside the home by the 1930s continuing the the trend to the present.







Ex collection of Fashion Icon Tina Chow



Length 59"

Shoulder 2.75"

Armhole 21"

The pleats in the fabric allow the gown to expand to fit a range of sizes. l"