Ball Gown thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Ball Gown

ca. 1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Charles Frederick Worth (1825-1895) was a celebrated Parisian couture dressmaker. He was born in Bourne, Lincolnshire, and started working at the age of 12 in a draper's shop in London. Eight years later he moved to Paris, where he opened his own fashion house in 1858. He was soon patronised by the Empress Eugenie and her influence was instrumental to his success. His clothes, admired for their elegance and fine workmanship, became an important symbol of social and financial advancement.

This dress was worn by Princess Nicholas of Greece. Her grandson, the Duke of Kent, gave it to Sir Cecil Beaton, who was then collecting fashionable dress for his 1971 exhibition, Fashion: An Anthology. As with other evening gowns of the period, its original trimmings were very delicate and have been lost. The petticoat and neck edging have been carefully reconstructed from old photographs of Worth designs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Bodice
  • Skirt
  • Petticoat
Materials and techniques
Silk velvet, trimmed with diamanté, lace
Brief description
Ball gown consisting of a silk velvet bodice, skirt and petticoat, designed by Worth, Paris, ca. 1900.
Physical description
Ball gown consisting of a silk velvet bodice, skirt and petticoat.
Credit line
Given by the Duke and Duchess of Kent
Production
Worn by Princess Nicholas of Greece.
Summary
Charles Frederick Worth (1825-1895) was a celebrated Parisian couture dressmaker. He was born in Bourne, Lincolnshire, and started working at the age of 12 in a draper's shop in London. Eight years later he moved to Paris, where he opened his own fashion house in 1858. He was soon patronised by the Empress Eugenie and her influence was instrumental to his success. His clothes, admired for their elegance and fine workmanship, became an important symbol of social and financial advancement.

This dress was worn by Princess Nicholas of Greece. Her grandson, the Duke of Kent, gave it to Sir Cecil Beaton, who was then collecting fashionable dress for his 1971 exhibition, Fashion: An Anthology. As with other evening gowns of the period, its original trimmings were very delicate and have been lost. The petticoat and neck edging have been carefully reconstructed from old photographs of Worth designs.
Bibliographic reference
Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971 248
Collection
Accession number
T.459 to B-1974

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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