Mariano Fortuny Claret Delphos. Provenance Tina Chow
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk,glass,metallic pigments
- Condition:excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU10120717610
Fortuny
Spanish fashion designer Mariano Fortuny was a true artist who worked with beautiful fabrics as his medium of choice. Although he showed talent in painting, sculpting, photography and architecture at an early age, fashion was where he really shined.
Fortuny was an innovator in the world of textile design, he drew on classical Greek tunics for his rich and interesting garments and worked with a revolutionary system for creating pleats. He designed a range of clothing for his couture house, and today, vintage Fortuny evening gowns, gemstone-colored day dresses, coats and accessories like drawstring bags are known for their fine craftsmanship and signature elegance.
Fortuny was born Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo in 1871 in Granada, into a family of artists. His father died when Fortuny was only three years old, and his mother moved the family to Paris. As a child, Fortuny was fond of experimenting and figuring out how things worked. He even dyed pieces of fabric from his family's textile collection, which had been amassed from shops around Europe.
In 1889, the family moved again, this time to Venice. Here, Fortuny found inspiration in the past, which would influence his future designs. Not long after, the young Fortuny set off to travel the continent. In 1897, he visited Paris and fell in love with a dressmaker named Henriette Negrin. She became his muse, his wife and his creative partner — Negrin worked with Fortuny on clothing designs and fabrics — and the two settled in the French capital.
A lifelong inventor, Fortuny began patenting his creations in 1901. By 1934, he had registered more than 20 patents. At the same time, his fashion career was taking off.
In 1907, he designed the Delphos gown with Negrin, which French novelist and essayist Marcel Proust described as "faithfully antique but markedly original." Fortuny had worked from his home until 1922 when increased demand required large-scale production. He opened a factory in Venice, where due to the scarcity of silk, he began experimenting with cotton.
In 1927, New York interior designer Elsie McNeill traveled to Paris to meet Fortuny and became his exclusive American distributor. She returned to the United States and introduced Fortuny's designs to New World audiences. Shops opened in Paris, New York and London. Toward the end of the 1930s, Fortuny returned to painting and stepped away from the busy fashion industry.
After Fortuny passed away in 1949, McNeill took over the label and continued running it until 1988, when it was purchased by the Riad family, who remain at the helm of Fortuny today.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Fortuny clothing and accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Mariano Fortuny Shell Pink Silk PeplosBy FortunyLocated in New York, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated shell pink colored silk with silk cording along side seams ,shoulders , and tunic hem, and mat frosted colored glass beads threaded through the...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Greek Style Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Rare Shell Pink Long Sleeved Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in New York, NYDescription: This dress is made of finely pleated shell pink colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. Named aft...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Sienna Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in New York, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated sienna colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. The...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Greek Style Dresses
- Anthony Muto Chiffon Print GownBy Anthony MutoLocated in New York, NYFlowy Anthony Muto chiffon gown with overall morning glory and foliage print. A simple one piece wide necked sheath gown with wrapped back bodice has a large triangular scarf attache...Category
1970s American Maxi Dresses
- Paganne Art Deco Print GownBy Paganne by Gene BerkLocated in New York, NYPaganne by Gene Berk Gown from the 1970's in synthetic knit with a placed print of French Art Deco Fashion Designs on skirt. High neck, cut away armholes with black, white, grey and ...Category
1970s American Maxi Dresses
- Issey Miyake Graphic Black White Pleated DressBy Issey MiyakeLocated in New York, NYIssey Miyake Graphic Black White Dress in signature pleats. The various patterns look like a night time cityscape. Pullover style with open slash collar with long, lean silhouette. S...Category
1990s Japanese Day Dresses
- JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Femme S/S 2001 Rust Brown Constellation Faces Maxi DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Scottsdale, AZJean Paul Gaultier lovers this way!! Gautlier is known as the "troublemaker" and is highly known to take risks and push the envelope. He celebrates femininity in any and every possib...Category
Early 2000s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld orange and brown knit and tweed jacket dress, fw 1995By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel orange and brown rib knit wool dress ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Checked boucle jacket attached to front of dress ▪ CC logo buttons ▪ 4 front pockets ▪ Long knitted ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana gold lace and python shirt dress, ss 2005By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana gold lace and python shirt dress ▪ Python trim ▪ 4 front python flap pockets ▪ Matching python belt ▪ Rolled-up sleeves ▪ Tortoise butt...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage yellow green cotton dressLocated in Capri, ITVintage yellow green cotton dress size 40 total lenght 98 cmCategory
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Missoni 2pc Dress Purple & Copper Metallic Ruffled Top & Tiered SkirtBy MissoniLocated in Portland, ORThis is a wonderful vintage 1970's Missoni for Saks Fifth Avenue purple knit with metallic bronze lurex details. We love this outfit because you can wear each of the pieces separatel...Category
1970s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alexander McQueen 2009 Futuristic Crystalized Print Sheath Dress -newBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Los Angeles, CAAlexander Mcqueen's Spring 2009 collection showcases the romantic, ethereal and purist side of the designer in his effort to send his message regarding the evolution of the world in ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Sheath Dresses