Maker: Josephine Nivison Hopper
Place of Manufacture: U.S.A.
Date/Period: Late 1920’s
Materials: Silk Chiffon or fine Rayon; Self-covered Buttons
Techniques:Machine-sewn and hand-sewn Bias-cut skirt sections.
Style/Era: Summer or Resort Wear
Description:
This striking polka-dot dress was created and worn by artist Josephine (Jo) Hopper (1883-1968).
Lightweight cream or white silk/chiffon with large pale blue polka dots. Drop‑waist silhouette with large ruffled collar and flutter sleeves, Bodice is straight-cut; skirt falls from hip-level seam.
The dress and slip were specifically constructed as a pair. The slip is cut on the bias, a high-fashion technique of the mid-to-late 1920s, and features the same polka-dot fabric sewn into the hem, confirming it was custom-made for the frock.The dress is a simpler, straight cut, while the underlying slip utilizes the complex bias-cut to ensure an elegant drape and modern fit.
The most dramatic feature is the oversized, pleated ruff collar, a fashionable statement piece that offsets the dress’s simple construction. The dress has a dropped or non-existent waistline, with the skirt section starting around the hips. This “Garçonne” or Flapper silhouette is the defining characteristic of the 1920s. The length of the dress leads to the conclusion that the dress was worn for more formal or evening occasions.
Bias-cut matching slip