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| Our latest asymmetric cocktail dresses |
It started with the goddesses and was last seen on the red carpet at the Oscars 2014. The one shouldered asymmetric neckline dates back to Ancient Greece and Ancient India in the form of Chiton's and Sari's.
The Romans then took on the draped design for their togas which would be held at the shoulder with a clasp and cinched at the waist in various styles. Not until the 20th century did designers return to the classics starting with Poiret and Worth's softened silhouettes and inspiring the queens of drape, Vionnet and Gres in the 1930s.
Halston took on the design in the 70's turning the asymmetric into a chic disco classic.
The asymmetric neckline can be one of the most elegant cuts to wear with the sweeping of the cloth up to one shoulder leading to the face. Jewellery should be kept to a minimum, drop earrings to continue the line, a bare neckline and bangles at the wrist finish. If you want to maintain a goddess like grace keep hem lengths to below the knee unless it's a toga party with lots of drape.
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| Roman Copies of Ancient Greek bronzes with draped Chitons |
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| Marion Bender A Dancer from the Ziegfeld Theatre 1920s in lace asymmetric. |
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| Fortuny, Balenciaga and Halston asymmetric designs from the 20th Century |
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| Madame Gres draped silk jersey gown |
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| Asymmetric designs on the red carpet 2014. Amy Adams in Carolina Herrera draped gown, Lupita Nyong'o in a modern Stella McCartney nude body con dress and Suki Waterhouse in a soft tulle Marchesa gown. |
The Met Museum - The Chiton, Peplos and Himation in modern dress Harold Koda
The Met Museum - Classical Art and Modern Dress Harold Koda
The Met Museum - Contemporary Deconstructions of Classic Dress Harold Koda