Design for a day dress

Design for a white day dress with fitted bodice and centre front buttons, extending to a low hipline. The neckline is V-shaped and the collar is shaped like a neckerchief, and made of red fabric with white polka dots. The short sleeves are set in and have piped edges with a centre notch detail. The belt at the waist is also red with white polka dots. The full skirt reaches to below the knee and is pleated in groups of four pleats.
Fashion designer Victor Stiebel (1907-1976) was born in Durban in South Africa and came to Cambridge in 1924 to read architecture. After designing sets and costumes for the Footlights review, he decided to go into fashion design. Steibel started working for court dressmakers Reville in 1929. In 1932 he set up his own business at 21 Bruton Street in Mayfair. During World War II Stiebel enlisted in the Camouflage Division and also designed Utility clothing.
After the war, Stiebel worked for the Jacqmar fashion house in Grosvenor Street as Director of Couture, then in 1958 he re-opened his own establishment at 17 Cavendish Square. He retired in 1963 suffering from muscular sclerosis.
Stiebel produced romantic, understated clothes, specialising in evening wear and dressing high society figures and celebrities like Princess Margaret and Vivien Leigh.