Black Bat Wing Dress Ethnic

Something weird, 2 of my friends want this for their Wives. Sometimes when they come over to hang out, they talk about this dress. They say how nice their wife would look in it etc. I want to know first where it comes from, special occasion or something ? No makers labels, looks to be hand made maybe, anybody know ?

Thank You

Billy D.

 

First thought Japanese or Chinese but now not so sure of that pattern except...those may be Lotus blossoms so could be Japanese.
Wait for others.

 

Id say its a 60s-70s lounging dress. Ethnic look,but not really from any particular place.

 

It's a kaftan, made from a batik or batik-like fabric. Not sure genuinely ethnic but vaguely African.

Debora

 

And I disagree (in the most friendly way) that vintage. Type of thing that is widely available today (which a quick internet image search will verify.)

Debora

 

Handmade ? And how many women these days could fit in that tiny thing? I said lounging dress because I couldnt remember kaftan! Thank you,it was bugging the heck out of me!

 

My first thought was Moroccan.

 

Alright, Thanks KingofThings.

 

Lounging dress, okay that sounds good. Just wondering why my 2 friends want it so bad.

 

Give them each half and let them fight over it.

 

Kaftan. Non-ethnic, but ethnic inspired.
Moroccan kaftans are usually embroidered. Sub-Saharan African kaftans too.
Just south of there you get Vlisco designs. These were originally made by Vlisco in Helmond, The Netherlands, and based on Indonesian batik designs, which is why they have both an Asian and an African vibe. These are the cotton prints we saw a lot during the sixties:

http://v-inspired.vlisco.com/the-5-most-popular-colour-stories-of-the-angelina-3/

Recently Vlisco has started making more tribal African designs, but still with the batik look. Real Vlisco is still made, and worth a lot in Africa. Even though they make their own Vlisco style textiles now, the real thing is still highly valued. African Vlisco fashion shows are spectacular:
http://katyandlaney.com/2015/01/07/vlisco-catalog/

 

WOW AJ.....is there anything that you don't know?????

When ever you answer a post it's always in depth and so well written.

I want what ever health issue you have......you're brilliant!

That 2nd link was spectacular!

 

There is a lot I don't know, but I am desperately trying to catch up.
I live very close to Helmond, where Vlisco is. Everybody in our area knows Vlisco.
And I used to meet Heintje Fentener van Vlissingen, the black sheep of the family behind Vlisco, when I visited the lady potter/antiquer who taught me a lot about Chinese ceramics. Her enormous farmkitchen was a rendez-vous for local Gypsies, artists, excentrics, and little me. Heintje was one of the excentrics and very popular in our area:

Here is some more African Vlisco fashion for you to enjoy:
http://about.vlisco.com/nl/

 

One photo isn't loaded.

 

I know, there was only one, I don't know what the other one is supposed to be. But here is another 'Heintje', on the right:


Meanwhile this thread has become the Vlisco show, I guess. Sorry about that Billy.

 

haha, good one..

 

Awesome findings AJ, Thank You for all the info.

 

Be careful what you wish for, two of the main issues are closely related to what sent King George III mad. No madness in our family, so far......

 

no worries.

 

This one I have feels like silk...