History

It makes sense that I should include some background of what my little room box is based on, and the type of dresses that will feature from time to time.

For as long as I can remember, I've been listening to jazz music and have had a passionate interest in art deco design; furniture, fashion and jewellery, and it is this, which has impacted my concept for Fleur and Ruban.

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One cannot deny that music and the emergence of jazz clubs, the Charleston and black bottom dancing played a central role in influenced the clothing lines of the 1920's.

It was Frenchman Jean Patou (the innovator of ready-to-wear clothing which marked a new direction in 1920's), who is credited to be the first designer to create flapper costumes.

At the same time, Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel brought masculine sensibility to womenswear, and there were other talented designers like Elsa Schiaparelli, Edward Molyneux, Madeleine Vionnet and historical couture houses such as Worth and Poiret who also explored the flapper style.

COCO CHANEL SUITS

The flapper "party" dress was straight, loose and often sleeveless. Mostly made in airy and light fabrics, it relied on a fairly simple rectangular piece of fabric that could fall on a slender body without being constrictive.

While the simplicity in construction was central to both day and evening wear, the latter could be more ornate, and the endless possibilities for embellishments often included embroidery, sequins and beads in the most amazing designs. Because of the clean lines, these dresses lent themselves to being made at home and many women's magazines offered patterns of the fashionable look. This allowed women to explore and express their style and identity more than ever.