Frock Friday's - Priscilla of Boston

Today's post is an homage to Priscilla of Boston and the great Priscilla Kidder. A great blow to the bridal industry is the loss of a great company which supplied many brides with the dress of a lifetime. I mourn the loss as many will. I feel a great void for the development of the company, the many employees and the beauty they brought to people's lives. I am so sorry that this economy has taken such a detrimental toll. Best wishes to everyone involved in the closure.

"A sign of Priscilla's presence: a detail as discreet as the touch of Belgian lace tucked into the pouf of the blush colored gown, above and below. This simple, elegant gown has a ball gown skirt caught up in a dramatic 'butterfly' bustle. "

The following is directly quoted from the original magazine:

She remembers the first wedding dress she ever saw, right down to the bias cut and the exact flow of the skirt. "It was in the 1930's and all I could think was 'I want to wear one of those!' 

When she did walk down the aisle in 1940, Priscilla then a young design-school graduate, wore a dress of her own making. "I cut the fabric, and we all sewed it -- mostly my mother and I," she remembers. A fleeting five years later she opened her now-classic Newbury Street shop in Boston. And in the ensuing years her gowns have adorned daughters of the White House -- and the house next door. (This part really choked me up!) "I've even dressed granddaughters of my first brides," laughs Priscilla, whose sophisticated style and insistence on quality have set standards for her industry.

I scouted through magazines that I've had since high school (hoarder!) and recalled a June 1989 edition of Victoria Magazine which features the great Priscilla herself. The copyright is Victoria Magazine 1989 and the original pictures are by Toshi Otsuki at The Ritz Carlton, Boston.

Frock Friday's showcases contemporary gowns and often asks for a vote on two. This week I ask that you take in the romance of the images by a renowned photographer and remember that in the late 80's these gowns were sumptuous. The puffed sleeves and basque waists were the rage. And let's also remember the original Victoria Magazine, simply beautiful and ever the encouragement in the advancement of women everywhere.

Priscilla of Boston has always been tasteful and has always had Au Courant Couture. This is such an industry loss. See examples of these delights below...

This was the first dress I ever fell in love with when the prospect of marriage actually became a reality. I wanted this gown so badly. Alas, I haven't the figure for this trumpet/modified A-line. But this dotted swiss organza (Organdy is my favorite fabric-- ever)  is simply resplendent.

This is Priscilla of Boston...The sleeves you see here are an "illusion cover up." And the price? So affordable.

Reverie by Melissa Sweet - Eze

Jewel JL202

Priscilla of Boston Vineyard Collection - Morgan

My Word! Amazing! This is from the Platinum Collection...It hasn't a name but the style number is PL396.  Please go to www.priscillaofboston.com to see the runway video of this gown. It is so stately and beautiful and Jackie O!

 Vera Wang - Gabriella