Sold out
Sold out

The Messenger Bohéme Slip Dress

$148.00
Size

“I am not afraid. I was born to do this.” — Joan of Arc

The Messenger is our tribute to fearless conviction, and a celebration of those who dare to follow their hearts, no matter the odds! Featuring Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s iconic portrait of Joan of Arc— completed only days before his death — it masterfully depicts one of history’s most extraordinary figures. Born a humble peasant, Joan rose to lead the French army as a young woman inspired by divine visions and a profound sense of purpose. Her courage to challenge societal norms and her unwavering belief in her mission made her a symbol of strength, resilience, and grace.

The florals in our print, taken from centuries-old paintings, represent the enduring beauty of faith and perseverance, while the trim — featuring a hand-coloured drawing of stained-glass church windows — pays homage to the sacred spaces where Joan found solace. The wise fox, painted in 1810, evokes the divine guidance she credited for her remarkable feats.

As she has been for so many, Joan continues to be a deep source of inspiration to us here at Market of Stars, as artists and women. Her words, “I am not afraid, I was born to do this,” (written on her sleeve in this print) are an enduring message to live our lives with courage, determination, and love. 

The adjustable straps, oversized cut, and soft, flowy bamboo viscose make our Bohéme dresses a wardrobe staple for layering, running errands, dancing, lounging or napping — and they’re also a must-have for travel, wherever you roam. Like all of our slip dresses, this piece is reversible! Wear it with the moon or the moth on the front, depending on your mood!

Please note: The nature of our soft bamboo/wood viscose means it’s slightly sheer, so we recommend layering it with our Étoile slip (or any other slip you have) when wearing it with bare legs. Our model in the photos is wearing the dress without a slip.

100% viscose (derived from plant fibres such as bamboo and wood). Machine wash gentle or handwash and hang to dry. Iron to finish if needed.

Adjustable straps. Dress measurements: S/M — length 132cm at shortest strap adjustment, 142cm at longest. Width 52cm (across bust, underarm to underarm), 54cm (across waist seam). L/XL — 134 cm length at shortest strap adjustment, 144cm at longest. Width 57cm (across bust, underarm to underarm), 59 cm (across waist seam). Model is 5'5" for reference.

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
— Mary Oliver
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
— John 1:5
“Go forth and set the world on fire.”
— St. Ignatius of Loyola
“The fire within her burned brighter than the fire around her.”
— Anonymous

How To Wear

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Soft as a sigh and rich with meaning, this dress feels like something from a dream you almost remember. With its moody, moonlit palette and flowing silhouette, it’s beautiful on its own — worn with delicate jewelry and lace-up boots, or barefoot on a late summer evening. For a more romantic layered look, try it layered with a sheer cream blouse with billowed sleeves, or belted at the waist with a velvet ribbon and a long cardigan draped over your shoulders. In cooler weather, slip it under a structured blazer with tall boots and a hint of lace at the neckline for an unexpected mix of softness and strength. However you wear it, this striking piece slips effortlessly into your wardrobe — and brings a little magic with it :)

Our Muse

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The bold-hearted, the luminary. Women who carry themselves with courage and grace, and who carry faith like a torch in the dark. Women who light the way with love.

More Inspo

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Joan of Arc’s story reads like myth, yet every astonishing detail is true. Born in 1412 in a small village in northeastern France, she was a peasant girl with no formal education and no military training — and yet, by the age of seventeen, she had convinced the crown prince of France that she was guided by divine visions, and led an army to a pivotal victory at the Siege of Orléans. At a time when women had no place in battle, Joan arrived in shining armor, carrying a white banner, and inspired the French troops with her unshakable courage and clarity of purpose.

Her strength wasn’t just on the battlefield. Captured by the enemy and put on trial for heresy, Joan was interrogated for months by a panel of powerful men — and held her own with astonishing intellect and poise. When asked if she believed she was in God’s grace (a theological trap), she famously replied, “If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.” At just nineteen, she was burned at the stake — but her legacy endured. She was later declared innocent, canonized a saint, and became the national heroine of France.

To this day, Joan of Arc remains one of history’s most extraordinary figures: brave, visionary, and utterly steadfast in her belief that she was born to fulfill a calling. Her life reminds us that courage doesn’t always roar — sometimes it whispers through the fire, unwavering.

The Poem

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