Evening Dress thumbnail 1
Evening Dress thumbnail 2
+2
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Evening Dress


Paco Rabanne led the field of radical experimentation in elite fashion design in the 1960s. Having trained as an architect, initially he made plastic buttons and jewellery for Paris couture houses. When he opened his own fashion business in 1966, his architectural background and the current interest in space travel informed his work. Using techniques borrowed from jewellery, he created sculptural dresses in unconventional materials which broke all the rules.

This 'chain mail' dress was worn over a flesh-coloured bodystocking. Baroness Helen Bachofen von Echt wore it to a party in New York where she danced with Frank Sinatra.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Dress
  • Body Stocking
  • Packaging
Materials and techniques
Plastic pailletes with metal wire and nylon
Brief description
Evening mini-dress designed by Paco Rabanne, Paris, 1967, with body stocking made by Warnaco, United States, 1970, and packaging
Physical description
Evening mini-dress with body stocking and packaging.
Dimensions
  • Length: 700mm (approx.)
  • Width: 410mm (approx.)
Measurements taken from flat. Fits a mannequin of approximately 785 bust, 550 waist.
Production typeHaute couture
Credit line
Given by Baroness Helen Bachofen von Echt
Association
Summary
Paco Rabanne led the field of radical experimentation in elite fashion design in the 1960s. Having trained as an architect, initially he made plastic buttons and jewellery for Paris couture houses. When he opened his own fashion business in 1966, his architectural background and the current interest in space travel informed his work. Using techniques borrowed from jewellery, he created sculptural dresses in unconventional materials which broke all the rules.

This 'chain mail' dress was worn over a flesh-coloured bodystocking. Baroness Helen Bachofen von Echt wore it to a party in New York where she danced with Frank Sinatra.
Collection
Accession number
T.165:1 to 3-1983

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 15, 2006
Record URL
Download as: JSON