Dress
1991 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Black dominated fashion in the 1980s and 1990s. The little black dress was one of its key manifestations. Every fashionable woman was expected to have one in her wardrobe for parties and clubbing. At its most daring, the little black dress demanded a brave wearer with a toned body and/or supreme self confidence. Elasticated fabrics such as Lycra made the dresses hug the wearer tightly. Cutaway panels either exposed bare flesh, or were filled in with sheer fabric. Corset lacing emphasised the overt sexuality of the designs.
This micro-mini dress from Val Piriou's Spring-Summer collection of 1991 audaciously combines all these elements. The designer also produced swimwear designed along the same lines as her little black dresses.
This micro-mini dress from Val Piriou's Spring-Summer collection of 1991 audaciously combines all these elements. The designer also produced swimwear designed along the same lines as her little black dresses.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Lycra and ruched elastic with net lace inserts |
| Brief description | Micro-mini dress in elasticated Lycra fabric and net, designed by Val Piriou, London, 1991 |
| Physical description | Black micro-mini dress in elasticated Lycra fabric, very tight and very short. With ruched/permanently pleated elastic sheer net lace inserts in the sides and on the bra cups. Strategically placed solid fabric in otherwise sheer bra cups. Dress has double shoulder straps, stitched together mid-way and forming inverted Y's front and back. Corset lacing down the back. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Ready to wear |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'VAL PIRIOU LONDON' (Label in garment) |
| Credit line | Given by Marie-Paule Piriou in memory of her daughter |
| Object history | Historical significance: Good example of an early 1990s super-tight, super-little, body conscious "little black dress" |
| Production | Spring-Summer 1991 Reason For Production: Retail |
| Summary | Black dominated fashion in the 1980s and 1990s. The little black dress was one of its key manifestations. Every fashionable woman was expected to have one in her wardrobe for parties and clubbing. At its most daring, the little black dress demanded a brave wearer with a toned body and/or supreme self confidence. Elasticated fabrics such as Lycra made the dresses hug the wearer tightly. Cutaway panels either exposed bare flesh, or were filled in with sheer fabric. Corset lacing emphasised the overt sexuality of the designs. This micro-mini dress from Val Piriou's Spring-Summer collection of 1991 audaciously combines all these elements. The designer also produced swimwear designed along the same lines as her little black dresses. |
| Bibliographic reference | Mendes, Valerie. Black In Fashion. London: V&A Publications, 1999.
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.225-1998 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 21, 2007 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
