Collection
Twice each year, David Joseph offers a select group of one-of-a-kind designs suited to the season at hand. These are his couture collections. Exquisite silks and beading headline this season's couture offerings. In tribute to the early 20th century, David Joseph proudly presents his Spring/Summer 2009 Collection.
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To inquire about the availability of a particular couture piece, contact David Joseph via email.
The Haute Jezebel
Made from antique Chantilly lace and ivory tulle, this gown personifies the feminine elegance of the Second Empire and the sculpted frivolity of mid-twentieth century beauty. The bodice has a low cut, off-the-shoulder neckline, framed with a pleated tulle bust and appliqués of hand-crafted Chantilly lace. The exaggerated size of the skirt is supported by a voluminous crinoline and understructure of tulle petticoats. The top layer is decorated with hand-crafted lace appliqués and pleated tulle in a diamond motif. The dome-shaped tulle skirt gracefully trains in back with gossamer wistfulness. This haute couture wedding gown - inspired by Bette Davis in the film Jezebel - is an exemplar of the ability to restore fantasy and luxury to the modern bride's trousseau.
The Scarlet Siren
This "Scarlet Siren," inspired by Mina Harker's ravishing red dinner gown in Bram Stoker's Dracula, features a boldly patterned damask weave of high-relief satin floral bouquets on a ground of silk faille. The fully lined and boned bodice is deeply pointed at the neckline and waist to exaggerate the length of the torso. The bodice closes in back with nickel-plated grommets and lacing. The elaborate skirt has a draped overskirt with an apron effect, side drapes, and pleated frills at the back pouf extending into a substantial train. The underskirt has built-in laces and bones to fashion the bustle. The piquant charm of the bold floral motifs delights the viewerís eyes while the exaggerated centaur-shaped bustle is again very au courant.
Post-Edwardian "Jump" Gown
For your consideration, we present a rare version of Rose's Jump Dress inspired by the blockbuster film Titanic. The empire bodice is fashioned from lustrous red silk charmeuse and black silk tulle embellished with black sequins, which add a hint of sparkle to the black-on-black design. Narrow rows of black glass beads, which outline the pattern areas, add texture to the design. The delicate cap sleeves are trimmed with oblong jet beads set in individual glass casings. The heavily-ornamented bodice is enhanced with a sensual, square-cut neckline outlined with black modesty lace. A red silk ombre ribbon is woven through the lace and may be adjusted at your discretion to reveal or conceal the bustline. Three glittering ruby red buttons adorn the front panel. The empire waistline is encircled with a black silk chiffon sash, edged with a row of faceted and unfaceted teardrops in fringe. The skirt is fashioned from red silk charmeuse and black silk chiffon with a split-front opening to reveal exquisite beadwork. The embellished edgework features a floral design encrusted with cut jet beads. The front center of the lower skirt features an exceptional hand-beaded medallion and two rows of the beaded trim. The dress is a true masterpiece of design!
18th Century "Pompadour" Gown & Jewelry
Next, a stunning mid-18th century gown in the style of Marie-Antoinette or Madame de Pompadour. The gown is fashioned from over ten yards of Chambord-colored jacquard silk figured with gold lamÈ flowers. The fabric is slightly slubbed and makes that wonderful rustling sound only an heirloom gown can produce.
The bodice is fashioned from the Chambord silk with a contrasting stomacher in cranberry royale silk. The back features strapping loops and lacing to achieve a "corseted" look. The bodice is fully lined in plain fabric and heavily boned. The stomacher is accented with passementerie ruffles that run across the arms and down the front of the gown, so typical and a la mode during the 1700s. The low dÈcolletage and deeply pointed waist are trimmed with beautiful black sequin braiding. The fully-lined, three-quarter length sleeves have a large falling drape at the elbows trimmed with passementerie ruffles edged with black sequin braiding. The inner cuff drips with antique-style black lace frill. The skirt is fashioned from the Chambord silk with a separate front petticoat in cranberry royale silk. The fabric is drawn together at the waist with a French gathering technique to form fullness. The magnificent sweep is over 200 inches and trails away into an elegant train as you walk.
The neck choker is fashioned from a double ruffle of both silks run through with the complimentary black sequin braiding. The gown is pictured with a custom-made bracelet from our bespoke jewelry designer. The triple-strand bracelet is fashioned from sterling silver and large cultured Chinese freshwater pearls. The inner strand features 8mm pearls in shell pink nestled between two outer strands of 10mm pearls in antique cream. The pearls are threaded on a sterling silver core to create a solid bangle effect. The bracelet secures with an engraved, antique-style clasp in the shape of a butterfly. The bracelet is reversible - it may be worn with the clasp outermost (as pictured in our photographs) or turned under to feature the pearls.