Evening coat made from brocaded gold fabric, made by Nabob, London, ca. 1926, textile woven in India

Evening coat made from brocaded gold fabric with a design of butterflies interspacing rows of foxes and cranes, rabbits and deer, and flying birds. The coat is designed to hang loose and open, and is just over knee length. Long scarf ends tie at the neck, forming a flat straight collar in the back. The cuffs and hem of the coat end in double tiered flares of brocade. Lined in gold silk satin. Label stitched at the centre back.

This ensemble 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.

Textile woven in India.

T.155-1967