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Evening dress

Evening dress

  • Place of origin:

    Paris, France (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1955 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Givenchy, Hubert de, born 1927 (designer)
    Rene Mancini (shoes, maker)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Silk matelasse brocade

  • Credit Line:

    Given by Lady Moorea Black

  • Museum number:

    T.270 to B-1975

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

  • Image in copyright

Hubert de Givenchy (b.1927) launched his collection in 1952, and was one of the youngest couturiers working in Paris at that time. His designs bridged the old world of haute couture and the new mood in fashion that emerged in the late 1950s, and which was moving towards the youthful and paired down lines of the 1960s. A disciple of Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972), Givenchy was inspired by his architectural approach to fashion. Givenchy still refers to Balenciaga as 'the master'.

This evening dress was designed with shoes of matching green silk.

Physical description

Evening dress and matching shoes. Emerald green satin matelasse brocade. The dress is ankle length, with a fitted bodice, Princess line panel down the front, and slightly dropped waist at the hips, skirt full at hips and flat in front. Draped cowl neckline and short sleeves.

Shoes are high heeled pumps covered in matching silk.

Place of Origin

Paris, France (made)

Date

ca. 1955 (made)

Artist/maker

Givenchy, Hubert de, born 1927 (designer)
Rene Mancini (shoes, maker)

Materials and Techniques

Silk matelasse brocade

Marks and inscriptions

Label inside each shoe 'H.DE GIVENCHY / R. MANCINI / PARIS'

Dimensions

Weight: 1.44 kg

Historical context note

In 1954, Christian Dior (1905-57) launched his 'H-line' collection. It took as its inspiration the flattened bust and dropped waist of the Tudor/Renaissance style, and even sometimes emulated the rich brocades and embroidery of the period. This dress is reminiscent of that particular style, and may have been inspired by it.

Descriptive line

Evening dress and shoes in silk matelasse brocade, designed by Givenchy, Paris, ca. 1955.

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 and shoes (robe du soir)
Hubert de Givenchy (born 1927)
Paris
About 1955

Givenchy was one of the younger generation of couturiers. His designs bridged the old world of haute couture and the new mood in fashion that emerged in the late 1950s. A disciple of Balenciaga, he was inspired by the master's architectural approach to fashion.

Silk brocade

V&A: T.270&A, B-1975 [22/09/2007-06/01/2008]

Materials

Silk; Matelasse

Techniques

Shoe-making

Categories

Clothing; Footwear; Fashion; Evening wear; Formal wear

Production Type

Haute couture

Collection code

T&F

Qr_O138326
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