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Not currently on display at the V&A

Ball Gown

1815 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This pink dream of a dress epitomises romantic styles in fashion. It is made of patterned silk gauze with an all-over design of pink dots and would have been worn over a white or a coloured silk satin slip. The puffed sleeves resemble flower cups with their layered pink and gauze petals on a foundation of cream net edged with blonde lace, and a broad band of pink silk satin edged with rouleaux near the lower hem helps the skirt fall into a soft trapezoid shape. The dress has an incredibly short bodice, only five centimetres deep, which could barely have covered the wearer's bosom.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk gauze and silk satin
Brief description
Ball dress made of patterned silk gauze showing pink dots with flower cups sleeves.
Physical description
Ball dress made of patterned silk gauze with an all-over design of pink dots. A broad band of pink silk satin edged with rouleaux near the lower hem. Puffed sleeves resemble flower cups with layered pink and gauze petals on a foundation of cream net edged with blonde lace. Fastens at the back of bodice with drawstrings at neck and high waist. Incredibly short bodice.
Silk underdress is a replica.
Dimensions
  • Under bust seam to hem length: 114cm
  • Neckline to under bust seam length: 5cm
  • Back to under bust seam length: 115cm
  • Waist circumference: 80cm
Bodice only five centimetres deep.
Summary
This pink dream of a dress epitomises romantic styles in fashion. It is made of patterned silk gauze with an all-over design of pink dots and would have been worn over a white or a coloured silk satin slip. The puffed sleeves resemble flower cups with their layered pink and gauze petals on a foundation of cream net edged with blonde lace, and a broad band of pink silk satin edged with rouleaux near the lower hem helps the skirt fall into a soft trapezoid shape. The dress has an incredibly short bodice, only five centimetres deep, which could barely have covered the wearer's bosom.
Collection
Accession number
T.3-1952

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Record createdJuly 29, 2005
Record URL
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