Fashion magazines such as British Vogue and Harper's Bazaar presented the London collections with the social calendar in mind. Key events would include the Royal Garden Party, Goodwood, Wimbledon, Ascot and Cowes, coming-out dances and summer balls.
This dress was said to have been worn by Lady Diana Herbert for a ball at Wilton House and reflects the designer Victor Stiebel's (1907-76) interest in historical dress.
Physical description
Evening dress of striped turquoise and white silk taffeta, overlaid with matching blue, wild silk organza.
The dress is strapless with a full length flaring skirt trimmed from knee to hem with a deep flounce. The blue organza is draped over bodice and skirt caught up at the centre back to suggest a bustle and to allow view of the skirt flounce.
The bodice is boned but not lined.
It fastens at the centre back with a white metal zip.
Place of Origin
London, England (made)
Date
1955 (designed)
Artist/maker
Victor Stiebel, born 1907 - died 1976 (designer)
Materials and Techniques
Silk taffeta overlaid with matching wild silk organza, boned
Dimensions
Circumference: 96 cm bust, Circumference: 64 cm waist, Circumference: 300 cm hem
Object history note
Lady Diana Herbert was reputed to have worn this dress for her much reported ball at Wilton House in 1955. (Wilton House is the seat of the Earl of Pembroke, and Lady Diana Herbert the sister of the Earl)
When this dress was displayed in "The Cutting Edge", and this provenance reported in the accompanying book, Lady Diana Herbert contacted the Museum to say that she had never seen it before.
Descriptive line
Evening dress of silk taffeta and wild silk organza, probably designed by Victor Stiebel, made in London, 1955
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Illustration by Jacques Demachy for Harper's Bazaar, May 1952 p.53. Original illustration now V&A: E.686-1997
Similar strapless evening gown of stripes with full paniered skirt and bustle, by Victor Stiebel.
Exhibition History
The Golden Age of Couture. Paris and London 1947 - 1957 (Victoria and Albert Museum 22/09/2007-06/01/2008)
Labels and date
Evening dress
Victor Stiebel (1907-76)
London
1955
British fashion magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar presented the London collections with the social calendar in mind, from the Royal Garden Party, Goodwood, Wimbledon, Ascot and Cowes to coming-out dances and summer balls. This dress was worn by Lady Diana Herbert for a ball at Wilton House and reflects Steibel's interest in historical dress.
[60 words]
Silk
Given by Lady Diana Herbert
V&A: T.6-1977 [22/09/2007-06/01/2008]
Materials
Organza; Silk taffeta
Categories
Clothing; Fashion; Evening wear; Women's clothes
Production Type
Haute couture
Collection code
T&F
