Evening dress

Etiquette dictated that women of society vary their evening dress according to the occasion. Dresses like this one with uncovered arms and neck were known as 'Full dress'. They were suitable for dances, balls, dinners and visits to the opera. Ladies of high rank usually wore gowns with longer sleeves and higher necklines at less formal venues such as the theatre.

The location of Festa & Co's establishment at Carlos Place was in Mayfair, at the heart of London's court dressmaking industry. Their clientele would have been drawn from the height of the aristocracy, with London houses nearby. The house of Worth and other famous couturiers were also close neighbours.