The Ruffle Wrap Dress

With the Bella dress being the first ruffle wrap dress, designed for Philippa London, I thought it was important to write a blog on our design inspirations and the history of the original wrap dress.

The wrap dress has been around for centuries dating back to the Greco-Roman era, however in 1970s it saw mainstream popularity driven by one of the most iconic fashion designers of all time.

The Wrap Dress

The wrap dress is a very simple design that wraps around the body and tied around the the waist. The wrap dress was first introduced in the 1930s, but it was not until the 1970s that it gained widespread popularity. During this time, the wrap dress became synonymous with women’s liberation and was seen as a symbol of female empowerment.

As a style it is a real staple to any wardrobe, it offers a flexible fit that is flattering to a range of body shapes. It offers a classic silhouette and can be easily accessorised to give different looks each time you wear it.

DVF and the 1970s Influence

The most famous, iconic figures associated with the wrap dress is Diane von Furstenberg, also known as DVF. DVF was born in Belgium, in 1946, she moved to the United States in the 1970s where she launched her fashion line and designed the iconic wrap dress, which is still sold today.

Like many designers DVF was heavily influenced by the 1970s culture, which was a time of social and cultural change especially for the women’s liberation movement being in full swing! DVF wanted to design a dress that reflected the new sense of freedom that women were experiencing. DVF wanted a dress that was comfortable, easy to wear, and made women feel confident and beautiful.

The Wrap Dress Becomes a Classic

DVF’s wrap dress quickly became a classic, and it was seen as a must-have item in every woman’s wardrobe in the 1970s. The dress was worn by celebrities, fashion icons, and everyday women alike, and it was a symbol of women’s empowerment and liberation.

Today, the wrap dress is still a popular where some designs updated with modern touches like ruffles and other trims, as seen in our Bella and Beatrice dresses

The Ruffle Wrap Dress

The ruffle wrap dress is a modern take on the classic wrap dress, with ruffles being seen around the neckline, hemline, or sleeves.

The ruffle wrap dress has been seen on the runways to the high street proving the design is here to stay with its easy of dressing it from day to night. The timeless style of the wrap dress has proved a popular and flattering design for woman all around the world.

For years designers have incorporated the ruffle wrap dress into their collection, putting their own unique spin on this classic silhouette as seen below:

Temperley: A British designer, Alice Temperley, is known for her romantic, bohemian-inspired designs, and she has featured ruffle wrap dresses in several of her collections. Her versions often feature delicate ruffles along the hemline and sleeves, and are made from soft, flowing fabrics like silk and chiffon.

Rebecca Taylor: New Zealand-born designer Rebecca Taylor has a feminine and sophisticated feel, that is reflected in her ruffle wrap dresses. Her designs often feature asymmetrical ruffles and subtle floral prints.

Zimmerman: Australian label Zimmerman is known for its playful, romantic designs, and the ruffle wrap dress is a signature silhouette for the brand. Zimmerman’s versions often feature bold, colourful prints and voluminous ruffles that add movement and drama to their wrap dress.

Anna Mason: A much loved British Designer known for her feminine, timeless, romantic designs, with her design of her wrap dress versions with ruffles that cascade down the front of the dress, as well as delicate floral prints and luxurious fabrics like silk and chiffon.

The highstreet is littered with the wrap dresses which again highlight the versality of the classic design.

With all these designers you can see that the wrap dress, the ruffle wrap dresses, are a testament to the enduring appeal of this classic silhouette, and it’s wonderful to see the creative ways in which designers continue to use wrap dress in their collections, knowing of is wide appeal of its flattering versatile design.

To see the full range of the Philippa London ruffle wrap dress please click here to view the Bella and Beatrice Dress. We continue to reduce waste and carbon emissions by making everything locally within London, fostering relationships with our manufactures and making sure we are using end of line or UK stock fabrics.