This dress is an example of an evening dress worn during the “flapper” era of the 1920s. Proponents of the “flapper” look: a boxy, ‘boy body’ cut, included designers Paul Poiret and Coco Chanel. The former claimed to have abolished the tight-laced corset by 1908, while the latter designed clothing that allowed for more movement and agility in the wearer. Flapper dresses were marked by a dropped waistline and loose fit. This dress is hand-sewn with clear bugle beads to create a shimmering effect, as well as dark beads on the bodice and clear beads on the skirt against contrasting colours to create a stylized floral spray. Additional bugle beads sewn around the neckline create the illusion of multiple necklaces, which were a popular accessory worn together with flapper dresses. Though this dress was first popularized in the west, it was also worn in Singapore, highlighting Singapore’s status as a hub at the time in which many global influences flowed through the city.
