Robe á la Francaise
van der MiJn, about 1763
Worn for semiformal afternoon or evening occasions, the Robe á la francaise used to be an essential classic, a fashionable evergreen. In the course of the 18th century its shape and construction would change – if at all – only marginally. This is the reason why it is no sacrilege to have chosen a picture of 1763 (detail of George van der Mijn: “The Mayor of Amsterdam and his family”) for a ladies wardrobe that should be dated between 1780 and 1790. She would not have appeared old-fashioned with this dress.
Popular and established colours for typical dresses á la francaise where all shades around white. So we chose ivory silk satin.
For each of the numerous spirals and rosettes countless metres of silk were necessary which were pinked on both edges – a hard work which required a good deal of strength from the many hands that helped to create this dress.
