Bodice, bodice (ensemble)

Liberty silk dress comprising bodice and skirt, c.1883. Made by Denyer and Co.

By 1880s Liberty, with its exotic imported furniture, decorative arts and sumptuous fabrics, was seen as the leading purveyor of the 'artistic' lifestyle. The vogue for 'aesthetic' or 'artistic' dress had reached highpoint and those who wished to dress in the style could avail of the services provided by Liberty's costume department which offered designs of loose, flowing, unstructured gowns in lavish fabrics. Alternatively the customer could simply purchase the fabric to have the dress made up elsewhere and as in the case of this bustle dress, in a style much closer to mainstream fashion of the time.

This dress is made from 'Mysore' silk which Liberty's referred to in their adverts as being handwoven in India and shipped to England in its raw state, straight from the looms. It was dyed in England and then handprinted by the woodblock process. The design of this particular dress was referred to as 'Mooltan May Blossom'. Most of the designs were exact reproductions of old Indian prints, obtained by consultation with the authorities of the newly established Indian Museum. A collection of these silks printed by Thomas Wardle was exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1878.