Sketch for clothing patterns circa 1911. Drawn in ink and watercolor on paper

Sketch for clothing designs around 1911. Ink and watercolor drawing on paper of Belle Epoque costume models, circa 1911. It belongs to a group of 15 drawings, some of which date from 1911, and others are signed, like this one, which bears the signature Van Loo.

The elegance of these incredible silhouettes is particularly noteworthy, brought to life by the decisive and confident features of a fashion designer, a professional of the era. The drawing comes from a private Milanese residence and is in perfect condition. The sheet is unmounted and unframed. 

In fashion design, new projects are presented as hand-drawn sketches before being cut and sewn. The fashion designer first creates the figure, the feminine image, which reproduces the shape of the wearer—a realistic-looking model, perhaps posed within a contemporary context, used to detailedly illustrate dresses with geometric motifs, suits with fur collars, hats, canes, shoes, and other accessories. 

These sophisticated projects in Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, as well as very rare and collectible pieces, are perfect for studio decor, reflecting an elegant, affluent world full of perspectives and helping to recreate the fascinating transformations that took place in the costume of that era. During this time, women's fashion, reflecting women's emancipation, adapted to more functional and sporty clothing.

Beautiful antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for interior decoration. Currently, there is a growing number of enthusiasts of high-quality vintage items that possess a distinct character and soul. This is a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the creation of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its own distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few are particularly notable. Eclectic furniture dates back to the 19th century, during the reign of the Biedermeier style. Its early 20th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and finally the Victorian style. By the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Empire-style furniture and accessories date from the late 18th to early 19th centuries. Everything stems from Napoleon’s reign, which imposed a strong resemblance and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture reflects the Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Notable and interesting are antique products in Rococo style and Louis XV. Next is Baroque, whose name derives from the Portuguese 'barocco'—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly ornate pieces designed to exude splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique, selectively used materials were employed to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classic furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture design. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and robust, often using brown stains, moldings, sturdy bases, and reliefs. It can certainly be said that these were quite specific products, but they also opened up many new possibilities, such as the construction of buffets or broadly defined chest furniture. The Renaissance interest in mythology and ancient times extended to furniture supports and legs, which often took animal forms.

Lion’s paws, eagle heads—these are common motifs in Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands reproduce such furniture, inspired by Italian and French creators. This reflects admiration and respect for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It is important to remember that furniture production was perceived differently in each country, so each style had its unique character in a given nation. This is especially crucial when searching for an exclusive antique that suits your interior.

The most important aspect of stylish antique furniture is originality. This is ultimately what matters to the buyer, as many counterfeits circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides a certificate confirming that the product matches the actual description and photograph. We have art appraisers, historians, and experts from around the world at your disposal.