Evening Dress
1955 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Evening dress of yellow satin, embroidered with matching silk thread and gold pailletes and lined with matching chiffon. The separate, inner lining is of white silk, lined with matching chiffon. The embroidery decoration of the dress covers the front of dress, and back of bodice - the back skirt is plain.
The dress consists of a strapless, boned bodice joined to a skirt which is tightly gathered at the centre back. The dress fastens at the bodice with 5 buttons. A series of ruffles gives the skirt a bustle effect.
The dress consists of a strapless, boned bodice joined to a skirt which is tightly gathered at the centre back. The dress fastens at the bodice with 5 buttons. A series of ruffles gives the skirt a bustle effect.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Satin embroidered with silk thread and gold pailletes, lined with silk and chiffon |
| Brief description | Evening dress of embroidered satin, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paris, 1955 |
| Physical description | Evening dress of yellow satin, embroidered with matching silk thread and gold pailletes and lined with matching chiffon. The separate, inner lining is of white silk, lined with matching chiffon. The embroidery decoration of the dress covers the front of dress, and back of bodice - the back skirt is plain. The dress consists of a strapless, boned bodice joined to a skirt which is tightly gathered at the centre back. The dress fastens at the bodice with 5 buttons. A series of ruffles gives the skirt a bustle effect. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Haute couture |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | HISTORICALLY INSPIRED
Balenciaga encountered luxury fashion from an early age. His mother was a seamstress who altered the Paris gowns of wealthy clients such as the Marquesa de Casa Torres. He later collected garments and magazines from the 19th century for inspiration. The bustle-like back, heavy silk satin and sumptuous embroidery in this evening dress reflect this deep-rooted interest.
Evening dress
Satin, with embroidery of silk and gold paillettes by Rébé
Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paris, 1955
Bequeathed by Mrs Fern Bedaux
V&A: T.758-1972(27/05/2017-07/02/2018) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs Fern Bedaux |
| Object history | Worn with matching gloves. Mrs Bedaux always had 2 or 3 dresses of this kind in case she was invited to a grand party - information given by her niece and heiress, Miss Hanley. The attribution date is confirmed by the Cristobal Balenciaga Museum (Foundation) in Getaria, Spain, who believe there is a similar model in the Texas Fashion Collection (museum no. 1966.050.015) |
| Historical context | This object is part of the collection of Mrs Fern Bedaux, given to the museum by Miss E Hanley, the heiress and niece of Mrs Bedaux. Mrs Bedaux purchased her whole wardrobe regularly from Balenciaga and the collection was very large; some was kept by Miss Hanley, some send to the Costume Museum in Bath; and some was received by the V&A. Mrs Bedaux was the very wealthy widow of American millionaire office systems pioneer Charles Bedaux. Mr and Mrs Bedaux lived in the sixteenth century Chateau de Cand in France. The Duke of Windsor was married there after his abdication as King Edward VIII in 1936. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.758-1972 |
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| Record created | February 14, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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