Silk chemise dress covered in glass beads, satin belt and fringe, France, 1925-1926

Pink silk chemise dress covered in pink glass beads and lined in pink chiffon. The skirt is made from a fringe of glass beads. Separate length of pink glass fringing is formerly attached to the back neckline of the dress. The stitch marks indicate original placement. With a satin belt to match the peach satin waistband of the dress, and with a paste buckle.

The dress has a straight, loose and waisted bodice with a low neck and no sleeves.

This dress was worn by Miss Emilie Grigsby (1876-1964) who was a wealthy independent American who came to England from New York. She established a salon which was frequented by writers and the military. She was considered to be one of the great international beauties, with extremely pale, almost transparent skin and golden hair. She was frequently the subject of articles in the New York Times during the early 20th century. Her clothes were purchased from couturiers in London, Paris, and New York, and demonstrated an elegantly avant-garde approach to style.

At the time of acquisition Emilie Grigsby's friend, Miss Chisholm, stated that this dress and a few others were by Callot Soeurs, but this is debatable, and requires further research.

Attributed to Callot Soeurs at time of acquisition, but this is debatable.

T.150 to B-1967