Inspiration: 1930s evening gowns

I'm starting to design my 2008 bridal collection, in anticipation of The English Dept.'s annual bridal fashion show in February. To get the wheels turning, I've been paging through old 1930s pattern catalogs looking at vintage evening gowns. This is my favorite era for dress silhouettes--dramatic and elegant without being fluffy, poufy or upholstered. I just know there's a warehouse or barn in Kansas somewhere where all these bygone patterns are tucked away...these are the thoughts that keep me up at night.