Not currently on display at the V&A

Evening Dress

late 1939 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Printed silk jacket and silk crêpe skirt. The hip-length jacket is woven with lamé threads and printed with a dense purple and lilac floral pattern of hydrangea and lilacs. With short puffed sleeves, fitted waist and elongated peplum to fall just above knee height. Plain turn-up cuffs and turn-down collar. Lined in purple silk. Drop buttons in clear orange resin with spiral moulded into the bottom. Full length magenta crêpe skirt. Straight cut in four main panels flaring slightly at the hem. Curved to the shape of the hips where there is a snap fastening plaquet. Black grosgrain waistband.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Skirt
Materials and techniques
Printed silk lamé, silk crêpe, lined with silk, moulded resin, grosgrain
Brief description
Printed silk jacket and silk crêpe skirt, designed by Elsa Schiaparelli, retailed in London, probably Fall 1939 (Music in the Air) collection.
Physical description
Printed silk jacket and silk crêpe skirt. The hip-length jacket is woven with lamé threads and printed with a dense purple and lilac floral pattern of hydrangea and lilacs. With short puffed sleeves, fitted waist and elongated peplum to fall just above knee height. Plain turn-up cuffs and turn-down collar. Lined in purple silk. Drop buttons in clear orange resin with spiral moulded into the bottom. Full length magenta crêpe skirt. Straight cut in four main panels flaring slightly at the hem. Curved to the shape of the hips where there is a snap fastening plaquet. Black grosgrain waistband.
Production typeHaute couture
Credit line
Given by Hon. Mrs H. Sherek
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
T.232&A-1964

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Record createdDecember 21, 2007
Record URL
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