A nightdress by Lucile at the Victoria & Albert Museum http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O230750/nightdress-lucile/
An unfortunate difference of opinion has broken out between the men and the women dressmakers as represented by the chief European exponents of the art. On the one hand we have M. Poiret, that truly distinguished Frenchman who permits himself to minister sartorially to the women of the world, while upon the other side is Lady Duff-Gordon, the chief director of Lucile’s. In this instance the provocation comes from the man, which is so rarely the case as to be remarkable. M. Poiret was actually guilty of saying for publication that “man only can suit a woman in dress. The woman dressmaker drowns herself in details and neglects the outline.” Now we had supposed that this was unquestionably true. The same thing has often been said before, and so far without any vociferous contradiction, and when a woman does…
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First Night History 
The writing style and choice of words in this article was delightful to read. Only 1912, yet a world away from today, showing how things have changed so much in 100 years. As for the dressmakers themselves, surely it was always women who actually laboured to make the garments, whether designed by men or not? I know little about dresses, but prefer the style shown, to the description of the other, with its ‘lace and frills’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Likewise. I’ve never been a one for frills!
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