Evening Coat thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Evening Coat

c.1912 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Pink silk satin evening coat lined in pink silk. Gold-thread embroidered net at the collar and applied at an assymetric angle at the back of neck and at the cuffs. Voluminous balloon sleeves with a roomy cut. The front of the coat fall down peplum-wise into two large lead-weighted bows. Ruching and hooks and eyes at the bust. Swathe of draped silk satin falls from one shoulder, caught to the coat at intervals, and forms an extraordinary Grecian drape around the back of the coat. No label, but there is a numbered tape behind one of the bows.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk satin, embroidered net with metal threads, lined with silk
Brief description
Silk satin evening coat lined in silk, with gold embroidered accents, possibly designed by Lucile, probably made in Great Britain, c.1912
Physical description
Pink silk satin evening coat lined in pink silk. Gold-thread embroidered net at the collar and applied at an assymetric angle at the back of neck and at the cuffs. Voluminous balloon sleeves with a roomy cut. The front of the coat fall down peplum-wise into two large lead-weighted bows. Ruching and hooks and eyes at the bust. Swathe of draped silk satin falls from one shoulder, caught to the coat at intervals, and forms an extraordinary Grecian drape around the back of the coat. No label, but there is a numbered tape behind one of the bows.
Dimensions
  • Neck to hem length: 146cm
Production typeHaute couture
Marks and inscriptions
'55493' (Written in pencil on linen tape, attached to hem, possibly a couture number)
Object history
This extraordinary coat appears to be the work of a particularly brave designer. The assymetry of the gold applique at the back of the neck and the dramatic, very assured draping are probably inspired (if not actually by) someone of the ilk of Mme Paquin. Unfortunately, the only clue that remains is a numbered linen tape inside the hem of the coat.

This coat is part of the Heather Firbank wardrobe. Caroline Evans, in the course of her study of model dresses, examined this and has suggested that it may be a Lucile.
Other number
55493 - Couture number
Collection
Accession number
T.48-1960

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Record createdAugust 14, 2007
Record URL
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