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History
The magnificent pleated silk “Delphos” dress was created by Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo (1871-1949), a Spanish-born artist who turned his attention to textile design in 1907. Working out of a 13th-century Venetian palazzo, he produced garments that were described as “faithfully antique but powerfully original.” The "Delphos" was a deliberate reference to the chiton of ancient Greece and meant to be worn with minimal undergarments, a radical suggestion during the early years of the 20th century.

Fortuny became famous for his pleated dresses, the "Delphos" and the related “Peplos.” The exact method of pleating was a closely guarded secret involving heat, pressure and ceramic rods. On both types of dresses, Murano glass beads are strung on a silk cord along each side seam. These beads are functional as well as ornamental since they serve as anchors for the lightweight silk of the garment and provide the wearer with a smooth and graceful appearance.

Although the graceful “Delphos” would appear at home today at a formal event it was originally intended as a form of elegant déshabillé (casual clothing). In keeping with this original intent, the “Delphos” dress is styled here with a silk and lace négligée from about 1914.