An Amazon's Garment From Maison Beer In The Taste Of The 18th Century - Paris London Circa 1905

Circa 1905 Paris London Jacket with integrated waistcoat for an Amazon or for cross-dressing in the style of the 18th century, signed by the famous Haute Couture House Gustave Beer during the Belle Epoque. "Marquis" outfit, officer collar, long sleeves with musketeer cuffs, in purple velvet densely embroidered with silver blades and threads. Complete with its crenellated pockets and matching buttons, this outfit opens onto two panels of an 18th century waistcoat in cream silk satin embroidered with silk, silver cannetilles and spangles. Waistcoat closed with hooks. A ruffle of black satin ribbons adorns the front and pockets. The cream silk satin lining is partially incomplete due to the silks loaded with ferrous metals, chemically perishable from this period. The numbered label 5394 (?) indicates Beer, 7 place Vendôme Paris, 31 Sachville Street London. Apart from the damaged lining, the velvet is in very good structural condition as well as the preserved tinsel of the embroidery and silver buttons. A rare fashion collector's item. Dimensions: Equivalent to size 44 France. Shoulders 38 cm, chest 102 cm, waist 94 cm, hips 125 cm, sleeves 71 cm, height 81 cm, circumference of the bottom of the garment 124 cm. Gustave Beer (1855-1908) is a famous fashion house established in Paris and London during the Belle Epoque. In 1886, Gustave Beer opened his first house specializing in fine lingerie, on Boulevard Poissonnière. In 1893, he moved his boutique to 4 Place de l'Opéra. In 1900 he moved to 7 Place Vendôme, in the former Hôtel Lebas de Montargis, becoming the first fashion house to set up shop in this district. From that time on, it was renowned as one of the great Parisian houses, and its dresses were praised by the specialist press. In 1908, the Beer house employed more than 200 employees and had several sumptuously furnished salons in the style of the 18th century. He died in August 1908 on his estate, the Château Saint-Léger in Saint Germain en Laye. The Beer house was very active after the war, often featured in Vogue magazine and the Gazette du bon ton. In 1928, under the leadership of businessman Georges Aubert, it merged with the Drecoll house. The brand disappeared during the 1930s.