Champenois Richelieu-embroidered ivory linen midi dress

Richelieu embroidery is one of the most unforgiving hand techniques in the textile canon. The artisan cuts directly into the fabric — there is no undoing a cut — binding each negative-space motif with tight buttonhole stitches before the surrounding linen is carefully removed. What remains is structured lace that is part of the cloth itself, not applied to it. The Champenois is built around this discipline.

Cut from natural ivory linen in a clean column silhouette, three large circular medallions descend the centre front panel in a solar geometry that reads simultaneously as folk archive and contemporary restraint. The work is signed at the hem by My Sleeping Gypsy.

Sleeveless. Midi length. Side seam allowance for ease of movement.

The kind of garment that requires nothing added — no jewellery, no layering, no explanation.

Wear it: with flat leather sandals on stone floors somewhere warm. With a sculptural heel for a dinner that deserves the dress.

The detail: Richelieu embroidery of this scale is worked over several days per piece. Each medallion is cut by hand — no two are identical.