Description:  This day dress was worn by Maud Messel. It is made of brown silk-backed wool crêpe. It is calf length, with a deep V-neck opening to the waist, a wide slightly pleated waistband which drapes down the back of the skirt and long full sleeves caught at the elbow with oblong shaped moulded buttons. The dress is worn with a brown satin slip. The slip has a scalloped hem, a square panel at the chest made of cream lace and thin shoulder straps.

The dress is designed by Reville of London. Reville was established by William Terry (who took the professional name Reville) and Sarah Rossiter in 1905 as Reville & Rossiter. William Terry bought and Sarah Rossiter and in 1919 changed the name of the company to Reville Ltd. Maud Messel patronised Reville for over a decade. This dress dates from circa 1919-1920.

This dress is part of the Messel Dress Collection, which includes six generations of one family’s clothes dating from 1870 - 2005.

On loan from the estate of Anne, Countess of Rosse, made available courtesy of the Earl of Rosse, via Victoria Messel to Brighton Museum & Art Gallery in 1994