Date: c. 1920s
Origin: USA
Fabric: Cotton tulle, filet lace, silk ribbon
Brand: Chamberlin-Johnson-DuBose Co.
A loose fitting corset cover created from luxurious fabrics. The front of the garment is created from alternating bands of fine materials, including a delicate machine lace trim, ruched silk ribbon encased in channels of cotton tulle, filet lace, and gathered cotton tulle. The rear of the garment is largely made of plain cotton tulle, with the neckline lace trim extending through the back. A channel at the waistline encases elastic, though this has now perished and lose its stretch. Silk satin ribbon forms the shoulder straps, and an elaborate ribbonwork motif embellishes the front of the corset cover.
The garment still has its original paper store tag attached with a pin, which details the name ‘Chamberlin-Johnson-DuBose Co.’, and its origin of the ‘Underwear Department’. There are hand written digits at the base of the tag, but it is unclear if they refer to the garment’s price or style number.
Chamberlin-Johnson-DuBose Co. was a leading department store in Atlanta, operating from 1866 to 1931. The business filed for bankruptcy in 1930, closing down permanently the following year. A second corset cover from the same store can be viewed in our collection here.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
