The History Dress - Leonor’s 1930s Dress — Ruth Griffin Fashion Historian

*Actress Leonor Bethencourt in her fabulous 1930s History Dress which she found in Ritzy Rags on Dorset Street, Dublin*

How fab does Leonor look in this beautiful 1930s/1940s style dress? I met Leonor when we were both working as waitresses in Havana Tapas Bar on Grantham Street many moons ago. We made friends while serving glasses of Rioja and tapas to hungry Dubliners. We also collaborated together on a dance show which celebrated the life of Lucia Joyce in 2005. I worked on costume and Leonor worked her magic on the show. That night was the first time I heard the story of this amazing dress which she is wearing above. Later, inspired by the story I decided to research it for an essay for my MA in History and Culture of Fashion in London College of Fashion.

Leonor found this dress in the Ritzy Rags charity shop on Dorset Street, Dublin when she worked there as a volunteer. There was very little information about the dress apart from what was written on the back-neck label Nelly Garet, Ave Victor Hugo, Paris. With these details and the information within the structure and fabric I began to fit it into the 1930s/1940s period and researched imagery for the essay from the V&A library to put it in context. Please see some of my research imagery below and of course most importantly Leonor’s thoughts on her very special Parisian History Dress.

Ruaruth: How did you acquire the dress?

Leonor: I worked as a volunteer for a year in a charity second hand shop (Ritzy Rags on Dorset Street, Dublin) . The manager asked me if I would like it as it was unique. The charity in question was Friends of the Elderly. They receive 2 truckloads of second-hand clothes from Paris every year. This beautiful dress was unearthed from a delivery and it had the label Nelly Garet, Ave Victor Hugo, Paris stitched on the back. I was very lucky to get it.

Ruaruth: What was it about the dress which attracted you?

Leonor: The tag that said Circa 1930s and the shape and colour.

Ruaruth: Who owned it before you, what is the story behind it?Leonor: I don’t know! But I know you did some research for your essay.

Ruaruth: Where did you wear it to last?Leonor: Bloomsday 2012. (See pictures below) It was a great eye-catcher. I also wore it to the opening of a friend’s vintage show at the New Theatre. Prior to that I loaned it to an actress who wore it in one of my productions. She had it taken out very neatly so now it fits a size 12 which is handy for growing waistlines.

Ruaruth: Where will you wear it next?Leonor: I’ll keep it for a vintage occasion.

Ruaruth: Why is it special?Leonor:It’s very beautiful. The skirt is made of wool and the bodice of a striped silk. The shape is unique and very flattering. Especially the bodice which has a zig-zag design and faux bolero jacket?

Ruaruth: How do people react to it?Leonor: They love it!

Leonor Bethencourt is an actress and comedienne. She is a regular performer in the Dublin Stand Up Comedy circuit with her character Zocorro. She entered Channel 4’s comedy competition “So You think You’re Funny?” making it to the semi-finals in Edinburgh 2007. This summer she will be making shapes in fabulous vintage garb and giving a side-splitting comedy tour of Dublin on 9th of July in the 10 days in Dublin Festival. Go see her in action you might even get a glimpse of her Parisian dress.

Follow her on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/zocorro