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Coat

1947-1948 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Ladies coat of crimson woollen cloth with a wide shawl collar and a fitted bodice with a double-breasted fastening of six domed and shiny white metal buttons. There are smaller similar buttons at the bottom of each sleeve. The skirt flares from the waist with a slit vertical pocket let in to each front seam and there are two back pleats. The skirt is mounted on horsehair. The lining is of silk crêpe, into which is woven an all-over pattern of the signature 'Hardy Amies'. The collar is worn high around the neck, with the bottom resting on the shoulders.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wool, lined with silk crêpe, horsehair, metal
Brief description
Ladies coat of wool, designed by Hardy Amies, London, 1947-1948
Physical description
Ladies coat of crimson woollen cloth with a wide shawl collar and a fitted bodice with a double-breasted fastening of six domed and shiny white metal buttons. There are smaller similar buttons at the bottom of each sleeve. The skirt flares from the waist with a slit vertical pocket let in to each front seam and there are two back pleats. The skirt is mounted on horsehair. The lining is of silk crêpe, into which is woven an all-over pattern of the signature 'Hardy Amies'. The collar is worn high around the neck, with the bottom resting on the shoulders.
Dimensions
  • Waist circumference: 69cm
  • Skirt length: 77cm
  • Hem circumference: 140cm
Stockman mannequin size 40 (9010)
Styles
Production typeHaute couture
Marks and inscriptions
'Hardy Amies' (Name of the designer woven into the silk lining)
Gallery label
Coat Hardy Amies (1909-2003) London 1948-9 Despite fabric shortages, London designers such as Hardy Amies created tailored coats and suits in the spirit of the New Look. The fullness of this winter coat and the warm colour reflect the new optimism in fashion. [37 words] Coat: wool with domed metal buttons, lined with silk Hat (designed by Alice Camus): straw Coat given by Mrs Benita Armstrong; hat given by Mrs P. Pepper V&A: T.35-1966 (coat) and T.34-1985 (hat)(22/09/2007)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Benita Armstrong
Object history
Worn by the donor who said that when she wore this coat her friends all called her 'Mummy Christmas'.
Historical context
An English adaption of the 'New Look'.
In 2006 the Hardy Amies company produced a coat of brown-orange as an hommage to this style.
Collection
Accession number
T.35-1966

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Record createdSeptember 5, 2005
Record URL
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