Dress of silk marocain and silk petticoat, probably designed by Madeleine Vionnet, France, 1934

Afternoon dress of pink silk marocain with a V-neck, rounded collar and short sleeves. The bodice is softly draped between a Y-shaped front-and-back yoke, and a panel at the waist continues in bands down the side of the skirt. Collar, sleeves and hem are trimmed with pleated bands of the same fabric. Bow at the neck.

The petticoat, of pink silk, has a neckline edged with the marocain of the dress. The front is straight cut and the back is darted and wrapped over to enable ease of movement. Additional lining at the seat. Machine-stitched and hand-finished.

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 was a Vionnet, but this requires further research. The collection includes at least two other possible Vionnets. (T.171-1967 and T.170-1967)

T.173&A-1967