Danielle Colby Striptease Historian | The Queen of Rust

Cobweb Dress

Added 2021-10-01 20:40:24 +0000 UTC

John Bates for Jean Varon in 1973

I know that Spooky Season started today so here's a little something to get you in the *spirit* 👻

I am absolutely in love with this dress. I saw it the other day on Instagram. On @lydia1940s page, specifically. There's tons of great stuff on that account. You can check it out here: https://www.instagram.com/lydia1940s/?hl=en

Not only do I love the gorgeous cobweb detail on the back, obviously, but those balloon sleeves! Here's a little history on this amazing dress.

Gorgeous and ultra rare Jean Varon ‘Cobweb’ spider dress dating back to his 1973 collection. This is a museum worthy piece. Created by John Bates who started the Jean Varon label because at the time "an English name like Bates meant nothing; you had to appear to be French." When the dress debuted it was an instant hit, being featured in the British Vogue 1973 September issue. The Fashion Museum in Bath, England, has this dress in their collection, which is available to be seen by appointment. Fashioned in black jersey, it has faceted-domed glass buttons down the front and around the wide cuff billow sleeves. This iconic dress features an embroidered tulle panel on the back with applications of beads and sequins forming spiders crawling around cobwebs. The flattering nipped waist ties with a built-in belt.

-From https://www.timelessvixen.com/jean-varon-1973-jean-varon--cobweb--spider-documented-billow-sleeve-dress.html