Mantle of double thickness crêpe de Chine, probably designed by Madeleine Vionnet, France, 1928

Triangular mantle of double thickness pale pink crêpe de Chine with a very long double layer of fringe along the edges. Two bands are inside the mantle for the arms to be slipped through.

This mantle 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 mantle was a Vionnet, but this requires further research. It was noted in the record that "Mrs Jay said she had seen a similar example in the CDC in Paris". The collection includes at least two other possible Vionnets. (T.171-1967 and T.173&A-1967).

T.170-1967