Jumpsuit thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Jumpsuit

1968 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This 1968 jumpsuit designed by Jacques Heim was made from a vibrant printed silk in blue, green, purple and yellow. One-piece jumpsuits with wide trouser legs were very popular in the 1960s for informal evening occasions, such as at-home entertaining. More extrovert young women followed the glamorous example of Emma Peel in the hit television show The Avengers. Portrayed by actress Diana Rigg, Mrs Peel wore jumpsuits while going about her day-to-day business.

Jacques Heim launched his couture business in the 1920s. In the 1940s he was one of the first couturiers to sell ready-to-wear clothing in boutiques. In 1957, Heim struck a deal with the London manufacturer R. L. Salmon Ltd. They bought the exclusive rights to reproduce Jacques Heim's Paris collections for a British audience. Twice a year, the couture house sent them sketches and materials for Spring or Autumn collections. The final results were approved by Heim before the clothes went to high-end London boutiques.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Printed silk satin, lined
Brief description
One-piece jumpsuit in printed silk satin, designed by Jacques Heim, made by R.L. Salmon Ltd., London, 1968
Physical description
One-piece catsuit or jumpsuit in printed soft silk satin. Psychedelic floral print in violet blue, midnight blue, mint green, purple, and yellow. Main colours picked up in plaited waistband in dark purple, dark blue, and dark green solid fabrics. Wide, but not extreme trouser legs. Back zipper. Fully lined in white. High neck, six non-functional buttons down the front and roll collar. Sleeveless.
Dimensions
  • Shoulder to hem length: 150cm
  • Waist measured inside garment circumference: 66.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Bust measured inside garment circumference: 94cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Nape waist length: 39.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Outside leg length: 100.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Inside leg length: 71.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Crotch depth (front waist to back waist through crotch) length: 72cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Hem circumference: 55cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Production typeModel
Credit line
Given by Mrs Naomi Robins.
Object history
This is one of a group of Heim garments donated in 1998 along with design books and fabric swatches, some of which directly relate to the garments.

They were donated by the daughter of the owners of R.L. Salmon Ltd. This was a London dress manufacturer who acquired exclusive rights to make and sell the couturier Jacques Heim's designs in London from 1957. In most instances, R.L. Salmon Ltd used the French fabrics that Heim recommended, and Heim always approved the end product.

This design could not be found in any of the five pattern books available, which were Spring and Autumn 1966, Spring and Autumn 1967, and Autumn 1968. It is most likely from Spring 1968, or it could post-date 1968. It is unlikely to pre-date 1966.
Historical context
Jumpsuits were popular for the informal hostess in the late 60s and early 70s.
Production
Unlabelled, but came with archival grouping of Heim garments and design books/swatches dating from Spring 1966 to Autumn 1968. Only book missing is Spring 1968, this is probably from then.

Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
This 1968 jumpsuit designed by Jacques Heim was made from a vibrant printed silk in blue, green, purple and yellow. One-piece jumpsuits with wide trouser legs were very popular in the 1960s for informal evening occasions, such as at-home entertaining. More extrovert young women followed the glamorous example of Emma Peel in the hit television show The Avengers. Portrayed by actress Diana Rigg, Mrs Peel wore jumpsuits while going about her day-to-day business.

Jacques Heim launched his couture business in the 1920s. In the 1940s he was one of the first couturiers to sell ready-to-wear clothing in boutiques. In 1957, Heim struck a deal with the London manufacturer R. L. Salmon Ltd. They bought the exclusive rights to reproduce Jacques Heim's Paris collections for a British audience. Twice a year, the couture house sent them sketches and materials for Spring or Autumn collections. The final results were approved by Heim before the clothes went to high-end London boutiques.
Collection
Accession number
T.142-1998

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Record createdFebruary 9, 2007
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