No. 20 Original C92/10 thumbnail 1
No. 20 Original C92/10 thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

No. 20 Original C92/10

Skirt Suit
autumn 1942 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This immaculately tailored outfit employs traditional construction techniques with great economy and style. There is, for example, a bias-cut inset panel on the back of the jacket. This provides a variation of pattern which is emphasised by the curved seams running from shoulder to hem.

Once attributed to John Cavanagh, this suit is now believed to be by the House of Creed. Creed was a family tailoring firm established in London in 1710 and in Paris in 1850. In the early 1900s they launched womenswear collections. This suit was probably designed by Charles Creed, who had served apprenticeships in Vienna and at Linton Tweeds in Cumbria. In 1942 he became a member of the Incorporated Society of London Fashion Designers, the team behind the Utility prototype designs of the same year.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Skirt
TitleNo. 20 Original C92/10
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Skirt suit, 1942, British; Utility, probably designed by Charles Creed. Board of Trade pattern 20
Physical description
Brown and cream wool tweed skirt suit, the jacket lined with beige rayon, with padded shoulders, two patch pockets and button fastening
Dimensions
  • Jacket and skirt weight: 1.78kg
  • T.48 1942 length: 67.3cm (of back) (Note: measurement converted from department register)
  • T.48 1942 width: 41.3cm (across shoulders) (Note: measurement converted from department register)
  • T.48 a 1942 length: 69.8cm (Note: measurement converted from department register)
  • T.48 a 1942 circumference: 68.6cm (Note: measurement converted from department register)
Credit line
Given by the Board of Trade
Summary
This immaculately tailored outfit employs traditional construction techniques with great economy and style. There is, for example, a bias-cut inset panel on the back of the jacket. This provides a variation of pattern which is emphasised by the curved seams running from shoulder to hem.

Once attributed to John Cavanagh, this suit is now believed to be by the House of Creed. Creed was a family tailoring firm established in London in 1710 and in Paris in 1850. In the early 1900s they launched womenswear collections. This suit was probably designed by Charles Creed, who had served apprenticeships in Vienna and at Linton Tweeds in Cumbria. In 1942 he became a member of the Incorporated Society of London Fashion Designers, the team behind the Utility prototype designs of the same year.
Collection
Accession number
T.48&A-1942

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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