Cape
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Givenchy, Hubert de, born 1927 (designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
- Image in copyright
The silk taffeta of this evening cape is of exceptional quality, and is pieced to create an unusually constructed loose fitting full-length cape. It has a double-layer of fabric, forming deep folds at the front, with draw-string taffeta ribbons at the hood (which can either be worn up around the head or loosely around the shoulders).
Hubert de Givenchy (b. 1927) met Audrey Hepburn during the shoot for the film Sabrina in 1953. He went on to design almost all the clothes she wore in her films, including Breakfast at Tiffany's and Funny Face. In this film Audrey Hepburn wears a cape identical to the one shown here. One of the most iconic images is of Hepburn's face peeping from the cape, her blue gloved hands folded beneath.
In 1985, Audrey Hepburn said: "My only merit is to have spent thirty years wearing dresses by Monsieur de Givenchy, whose talents and friendship I value most highly".
Physical description
A taffeta domino cape with matching evening gloves. The silk taffeta of the Madonna-blue cape is of exceptional quality, pieced to create an unusually constructed loose fitting full-length cape. The cape has a double-layer of fabric, forming deep folds at the front opening, with drawstring taffeta ribbons forming the closure of the hood, which can either be worn up around the head or loosely around the shoulders. The cape has full-length matching taffeta gloves.
Place of Origin
Paris, France (made)
Date
1957 (made)
Artist/maker
Givenchy, Hubert de, born 1927 (designer)
Materials and Techniques
Silk taffeta
Marks and inscriptions
'Givenchy'
'70175'
Dimensions
[Glove] Height: 70 cm tip middle finger to cuff
[Glove] Height: 70 cm tip middle finger to cuff
[Cape] Height: 172 cm top of hood to bottom hem, Width: 305 cm maximum, bottom hem
Object history note
This cape was worn and sold at auction by Mme. Bordier
Historical context note
Givenchy met Audrey Hepburn during the shoot for the film Sabrina in 1953. She was to become, along with Jacqueline Kennedy, the most prominent proponent of Givenchy's fashion. He went on to design almost all the wardrobe worn by her in her movies, including the 1957 film Funny Face. In this film Audrey Hepburn wears an identical cape and gown to this acquistion. One of the most memorable, iconic images is of Hepburn's face peeping from the cape, her blue gloved hands folded beneath.
Descriptive line
Evening cape and full length evening gloves in blue silk taffeta, Givenchy, Paris, 1957
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 cape [the matching gloves were not displayed]
Hubert de Givenchy (born 1927)
Paris
1957
Givenchy met Audrey Hepburn during the shoot for the film Sabrina in 1954. He went on to design most of her film wardrobes. In Funny Face (1957) Hepburn wears an identical cape to this.
Silk taffeta
V&A: T.34-2006 [22/09/2007-06/01/2008]
Materials
Taffeta
Techniques
Weaving
Categories
Fashion; Evening wear
Production Type
Haute couture
Collection code
T&D
