dress

Description: Dress, c.1947-1951. Blue acrylic taffeta. Calf length flared skirt at natural waist, padded cap kimono sleeves, V neck, gathers under bust, small stand collar, thin belt. The neckline has a small stand collar at the back, and a draped and V neck at the front that is gathered under the bust. The bodice front has a flat band beneath this. At the back of the bodice, there are two darts from the waistline into the bodice. The sleeves are small caps cut in kimono style, with small turned back cuffs. There are also small pads at the shoulders. At the natural waistline there is a belt loop on the right side, and evidence that there was also one on the left. The separate belt is about an inch in width, made of the same material as the dress but lined with a black paper. The large circular flared skirt has one seam down the left side. Just below knee height, there are six narrow rows of ruffles. The metal zipper is on the left side, from the top of the flat panel on the bodice front to a few inches below the waist.

Object History: Worn by Edith Fountain (?) to Church, dinners, etc in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Edward and Edith Fountain purchased a home in the Deer Lake area in 1951 at 6661 Russel Avenue, Burnaby. The house was also know as Moorcroft, and was purchased from the builder, Arthur Moore. Edward Fountain was the first City of Burnaby License Inspector in 1949, in 1952 he became the Personnel Director, when he retired in 1970 his position was Assistant Manager. Edward and Edith, who loved to dance, attended many social events, parties and balls due to Edward's positions within the City of Burnaby.

Marks/Labels: "Sample DRESS (smaller)" (logo), embroidered onto label on inside of dress

Research