Dress, cream silk damask with net insertions, Paris, House of Worth, 1896

This bodice and skirt are typical of haute couture evening dress of the end of the 19th century, made of rich heavy silk, set off by delicate net and adorned with hand-embroidery. The boned bodice is trimmed with silver braid, sequins and embroidered net insertion. The full sleeves are made of cream net, silk ribbons and peplums of silk embroidery edged with silver braid and sequins. The bodice closes down the centre back with hooks and eyes and lacing. The wide sweeping skirt has internal tapes hold the silhouette in place. The centre front of the skirt is embellished with silver sequins and embroidered net insertion.

Purchased with the support of the Elspeth A. Evans Fund

The dress has a label with the handwritten number 88310. The number suggests it was made up for a private client.

Charles Frederick Worth (Lincolnshire 1825- Paris 1895) has long been regarded as the father of Parisian haute couture. Having trained in department stores in London and Paris, he set up his own dressmaking business in Paris in 1858. His highly successful business passed to his sons Gaston and Jean Philippe on his death in 1895, under whose directorship this gown would have been made.

This dress was probably made for a private client, following one of the seasonal models created by the House of Worth.

T.29-2019