yeoldefashion: At first glance this 1905 evening gown designed by Lucile and entitled ‘A Protest’ appears to be just a pretty dress, if not with a slightly unusual name and color combination. The whole truth is far more interesting. I wrote a while back about the Victorian practice of using different colors or gemstones to spell out messages in jewelry. This dress uses the same practice on a larger scale. The color combination of (g)reen, (w)hite and (v)iolet would have sent a very specific message to any one in the know. Specifically: (G)ive (W)omen the (V)ote. This is a suffragette ball gown! Lucile was the professional name of Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon.

yeoldefashion:

At first glance this 1905 evening gown designed by Lucile and entitled ‘A Protest’ appears to be just a pretty dress, if not with a slightly unusual name and color combination. The whole truth is far more interesting.

I wrote a while back about the Victorian practice of using different colors or gemstones to spell out messages in jewelry. This dress uses the same practice on a larger scale.

The color combination of (g)reen, (w)hite and (v)iolet would have sent a very specific message to any one in the know.

Specifically: (G)ive (W)omen the (V)ote.

This is a suffragette ball gown!

Lucile was the professional name of Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon.