The Lover Venus dress is a fitted blue lace dress, laid out for Madeleine Swann in her room in Oberhauser’s lair in Spectre. It is made to be noticed by the people who matter and no one else, and, in our view, it is one of the best-judged pieces of costume in Daniel Craig’s Bond films. Lover, the Australian label behind it, is reported to have sold out of the blue dress, so finding one takes some patience.
In the film
Madeleine Swann, played by Léa Seydoux, wears the blue Lover Venus dress in Spectre. It is laid out for her in her room in Oberhauser’s lair, and she wears it there with nude Jimmy Choo Ivette sandals. Our catalogue records the dress on screen as the same model Lover sold, and Lover released a limited-edition re-cut of the Venus lace dress around the film’s release.
The details of the Lover Venus dress
Lace with scalloped edges. The dress is cut from lace with a scalloped finish, which gives it a soft, drawn edge rather than a hard line. One stockist described it as French lace. Lace of this kind reads as texture rather than pattern, so the dress stays quiet from across a room.
A lifted hem. The hem is asymmetric: shorter at the front, longer behind. It shows a little more leg at the front while keeping length at the back, which is a better trade than a plain short hem.
Fully lined. A beige lining sits under the lace. A pre-owned listing of the navy version gives the fabric as 70% viscose and 30% polyamide, with a 100% polyester lining; a retailer listing for the black version describes it as a nylon blend.
A hidden zip. The closure runs down the centre back and is concealed, so the front and sides are left clean.
The colour. The dress was sold in black as well as the blue seen in the film. One pre-owned listing is titled blue but describes the dress as navy, so expect some variation in how sellers name it. We would choose the blue over the black: black lace is the expected choice, and the blue is the version with the story.
Wearing it now
This is a dinner dress, and it asks for very little around it. Bare legs or sheer tights, a plain sandal in a nude tone as in the film, a small pair of earrings. Anything more begins to compete with the lace. For an autumn wedding or a restaurant booked well in advance, it needs only a coat of the right length over the top, in camel or charcoal.
Fit. It is a fitted cut, so check measurements against your own rather than relying on the size label. A pre-owned listing for a navy example gives its length as 37 inches, but that is the measurement of one example in one size.
Where to find one. The blue Venus dress is out of production, as reports say it sold out some time ago, so it is found second-hand; the button below runs a search of eBay for it. Look for clear photographs of the lining and zip, a stated fabric composition and a reputable authentication service. The black version has been sold through retailers such as Revolve, so it may be easier to find.
Specifications
| Model | Lover Venus (fitted lace dress) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Blue, as in the film; also made in black |
| Fabric | Lace with scalloped edges; one pre-owned listing gives 70% viscose, 30% polyamide, with 100% polyester lining |
| Lining | Fully lined |
| Hem | Asymmetric, lifted at the front |
| Closure | Hidden centre-back zip |
| Original price | AU$895 at release; no current RRP, as the blue dress is reported sold out |
Questions
Is this the dress Madeleine Swann wears in Spectre?
Yes. Our catalogue records the blue Lover Venus dress as the same model seen on screen, worn by Léa Seydoux’s Madeleine Swann in Oberhauser’s lair.
Can you still buy the blue Lover Venus dress?
Probably not new. Sources report that the blue dresses sold out some time ago, so the realistic route is pre-owned. The black version has been sold through retailers such as Revolve.
Who makes the Lover Venus dress?
Lover, an Australian label. The brand also released a limited-edition re-cut of the Venus lace dress when Spectre came out.
What shoes did Madeleine Swann wear with it?
Nude Jimmy Choo Ivette sandals, in the same scene in Oberhauser’s lair. Any simple nude sandal will keep the look as restrained.
More from the film is on our Spectre page, and you can browse the rest of our clothing or the Bonds.
