'Les Muguets' (Lilies of the Valley)
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Givenchy, Hubert de (designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Silk organdie with silk and sequin embroidery; with satin gloves
- Credit Line:
Given by the Viscountess de Bonchamps
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
- Image in copyright
Formal evening gowns were an essential part of a society lady’s wardrobe in the 1950s. Sumptuously embroidered and accessorised with jewels, these gowns provided a glittering show at receptions and balls, the opera or the theatre. Some were specially commissioned for a specific occasion, and worn only once, others bear evidence of alterations.
This dress is embroidered with silk thread and sequins from top to bottom, which would have been very expensive as it was done entirely by hand. It would have been sent out to one of the many specialist workshops in Paris, and each tiny sequin and stitch placed individually by a team of highly-skilled embroiderers.
The dress was worn with a pair of full-length black evening gloves.
Physical description
Evening dress of white silk organdie with an all over embroidered pattern of lily of the valley in white and cream silk and plastic sequins. It is full-length and has a high waist, is strapless, and has a train. The strapless bodice has a curved neckline with a low back. The bodice is boned and has two circular bust pads. The dress and bodice have a left side zipper and press stud fastening. The dress is fully lined.
T.223-A&B Long evening gloves, in black satin; elasticated at inside wrist and top of glove.
Place of Origin
Paris, France (made)
Date
1955 (made)
Artist/maker
Givenchy, Hubert de (designer)
Materials and Techniques
Silk organdie with silk and sequin embroidery; with satin gloves
Object history note
Worn and given by the Viscountess de Bonchamps
Descriptive line
Strapless full-length evening dress of white silk organdie with an all over embroidered pattern in white silk and white plastic sequins, worn with long black satin evening gloves
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Palmer, A., 'Inside Paris Haute Couture' in Wilcox, C., ed., The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-57 (V&A Publications, 2007), pl.3.2
Image and caption
Registered Description files
There is a small photo copied image in the Registered Description files. It shows that the skirt was an exaggerated bell-shape (requiring many layers of underpinnings), creating an almost flamenco shape as the front of the skirt was lifted slightly off the ground. Worn with accompanying black full-length evening gloves.
Exhibition History
The Golden Age of Couture. Paris and London 1947 - 1957 (Victoria and Albert Museum 22/09/2007-06/01/2008)
Fashion: an anthology by Cecil Beaton (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1972-31/12/1972)
Labels and date
'Les Muguets' (Lily of the Valley) evening dress (robe du soir longue)
Hubert de Givenchy (born 1927)
Paris
1955
The strapless bodice includes inset boning, so the wearer could step into the garment and not have to wear cumbersome corsets. This was standard in a couture gown.
Silk organdie embroidered with sequins
Given by the Viscountess de Bonchamps
V&A: T.223-1974 [22/09/2007-06/01/2008]
Associated names
Cecil Beaton
Materials
Silk; Silk thread; Satin; Sequins; Elastic; Organdie
Techniques
Weaving; Embroidering; Sewing
Subjects depicted
Lily of the Valley
Categories
Embroidery; Fashion; Evening wear
Production Type
Haute couture
Collection code
T&F
