Corfou
- Object:
Evening dress
- Place of origin:
Paris, France (made)
- Date:
May 1962 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Castillo, Antonio, born 1908 - died 1984 (designer)
Lanvin (retailer) - Materials and Techniques:
Net and pearls
- Credit Line:
Given by Mrs Loel Guinness
- Museum number:
T.289-1974
- Gallery location:
In Storage
Physical description
White net evening dress with appliqué pattern outlined in pearl strip. It has a round neckline, tight bodice and full flaring skirt.
Place of Origin
Paris, France (made)
Date
May 1962 (made)
Artist/maker
Castillo, Antonio, born 1908 - died 1984 (designer)
Lanvin (retailer)
Materials and Techniques
Net and pearls
Historical context note
Gloria Guinness (nee Gloria Rubio y Alatorre, 1912-1980) was an elegant socialite and writer of the mid 20th century.
Her third husband, whom she married in 1951, was Group Capt. Thomas Loel Guinness, a Member of Parliament (died 1989) and an heir to the Guinness beer fortune.
She was voted 'Best Dressed Woman' in the world by Time magazine in 1962 behind Jackie Kennedy in first place. (See Time magazine Jan 26 1962)
She owned seven homes, with a full wardrobe in each so that she would never have to pack or wait at customs. She spread her patronage widely, and amongst donations to the V&A of pieces by Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy etc., are pieces by lesser known couturiers such as Chaumont and Lafaurie.
Descriptive line
Evening dress of net, 'Corfou', designed by Antonio Castillo for Lanvin, Paris, May 1962
Exhibition History
Fashion: an anthology by Cecil Beaton (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1972-31/12/1972)
Materials
Net; Pearls (imitation)
Categories
Clothing; Fashion; Evening wear; Formal wear
Production Type
Haute couture
Collection code
T&F
