Ardele

Physical description

Evening dress of white organdie with yellow and white embroidery, in daisy design. It has a high neckline, crossover bodice, elbow length sleeves. Full flared skirt.

Place of Origin

Paris, France (made)

Date

May 1959 (made)

Artist/maker

Castillo, Antonio, born 1908 - died 1984 (designer)
Lanvin (retailer)

Materials and Techniques

Embroidered organdy

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 embroidered organdie, 'Ardele', designed by Antonio Castillo for Lanvin, Paris, May 1959.

Exhibition History

Fashion: an anthology by Cecil Beaton (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1972-31/12/1972)

Materials

Organdie

Techniques

Embroidery

Categories

Clothing; Fashion; Evening wear; Formal wear

Production Type

Haute couture

Collection code

T&F