Antique GUSTAVE BEER Evening Dress – Silk Chiffon & Velvet, Paris Couture ca. 1912

This Gustave Beer couture evening dress is a breathtaking example of early 20th-century French fashion, crafted from silk chiffon and velveteen. Designed with a straight silhouette, the gown is softened by layered chiffon flounces that cascade from the front, becoming shorter at the front and angled diagonally toward the back. A high satin waistband, embroidered with “Beer Nice Monte Carlo / 7, Place Vendôme, Paris,” anchors the design and releases two pleated skirt panels of soft pale purple velvet, which taper elegantly into a pointed back hem.

The dress is richly adorned with embroidery and beading across the front, back, and along the hems of the flounces, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship of Gustave Beer Paris couture. This rare piece is a true representation of Belle Époque evening wear, combining luxurious materials with refined detailing.

Measurements:
Bust: approx. 94 cm)
Waist: approx. 73 cm '
Length Fronth: approx. 147 cm
Length Back: approx. 195 cm

Condition: The dress is in good vintage condition, with a tear in the chiffon front that has been stabilized with net overlay restoration. There are some loose threads and missing beads, consistent with age and delicacy of the materials.

This exceptional antique couture gown is ideal for collectors of historical fashion, museum-quality garments, or anyone seeking a rare piece of Parisian evening elegance from the early 1900s.

Gustave Beer – German Fashion Designer in Paris (1855–1908)

• Born: May 14, 1855 in Warendorf, Prussia

• Died: August 19, 1908 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France

Gustave Beer was a prominent couturier who founded the Maison Beer in Paris in 1886, originally specializing in fine lingerie. He later expanded into evening wear, becoming known for his luxurious use of chiffon, velvet, and embellished embroidery. His designs were celebrated for their elegance, femininity, and refined tailoring.

In 1900, Beer moved his fashion house to 7 Place Vendôme, becoming one of the first designers to establish a couture salon in this now-iconic Parisian location. His success led to further expansions in Nice and Monte Carlo, catering to elite clientele across Europe.

Beer’s creations were frequently featured in prestigious fashion publications such as Vogue and La Gazette du Bon Ton, and his house employed over 200 staff by 1908. After his death, the brand continued under new leadership and eventually merged with Drecoll and later Agnès, before disappearing in the 1930s.