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Ensemble

1971 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Black embossed velvet jacket, fitted with flared peplum, velvet narrow ankle length skirt, velvet and net hat. Ensemble accessorised by the designer with black tights, black suede high-heeled ankle strap shoes, plastic bangles and 3 bunches of artificial cherries.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 14 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Skirt
  • Hat
  • Dress Ornament
  • Dress Ornament
  • Tights
  • Shoe
  • Shoe
  • Bangle
  • Bangle
  • Bangle
  • Bangle
  • Bangle
  • Dress Ornament
Materials and techniques
embossed velvet ensemble with net, velvet, plastic, suede and nylon accessories.
Brief description
Ensemble, embossed velvet suit, hat, full set of accessories
Physical description
Black embossed velvet jacket, fitted with flared peplum, velvet narrow ankle length skirt, velvet and net hat. Ensemble accessorised by the designer with black tights, black suede high-heeled ankle strap shoes, plastic bangles and 3 bunches of artificial cherries.
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Given by Biba
Object history
The complete ensemble was assembled by the designer and donated to the Cecil Beaton exhibition.

Historical significance: The Biba look was a package deal. It is very rare to have such a complete example of Biba's "total look". Trademark Biba accessories such as the tights, bangles and artificial cherries almost never survive extant/identified, much less preserved alongside the garments they were teamed with.
Production
Attribution note: The specific assembly and juxtaposition of the elements of this ensemble make it unique to the designer's vision.
Subject depicted
Bibliographic reference
Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971 no. 370
Collection
Accession number
T.56,A-M-1974

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Record createdNovember 29, 2007
Record URL
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