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

Ensemble

1945-1946 (made)
Artist/Maker
Pierre Balmain (designer)
Place of origin
Paris (made)

Brown velvet suit consisting of skirt, jacket and hat.


Object details

Categories
Fashion
Womenswear
Hats & Headwear
Gender and Sexuality
Accessories
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Ensemble
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Skirt
  • Jacket
  • Hat
Materials and techniques
Velvet with tassels and sequins
Velvet
Sequins
Tassel
Brief description
Velvet suit consisting of skirt, jacket and hat, designed by Pierre Balmain for Gertrude Stein, Paris, 1945-1946.
Physical description
Brown velvet suit consisting of skirt, jacket and hat.
Dimensions
  • Skirt waist (measured inside garment) circumference: 68cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Skirt lower hip (measured inside garment) circumference: 104cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Skirt waist hem length: 80cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Jacket bust circumference: 112cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Jacket nape hem length: 65cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Jacket across back width: 40cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Jacket cuff circumference: 20cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Sleeve length length: 52cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Production typeHaute couture
Credit line
Given by Mr & Mrs Harold Knapik
Object history
This suit was made for and worn by Gertrude Stein (1874-1946), who, with her partner Alice B.Toklas, was one of Balmain's first patrons. Gertrude Stein described Balmain's work as representing the "New French Style"
Associations
Beaton, Cecil
Stein, Gertrude
Bibliographic reference
Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971 368
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.47A-1974

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 Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis.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

Record createdAugust 30, 2007
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O138815/ensemble-pierre-balmain/
Download as: JSON