Chemise thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Chemise

ca. 1909 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Chemise and drawers of embroidered white lawn.

The sleeveless chemise is trimmed with Valenciennes lace and blue satin ribbon. The chemise is knee length, with a low square neckline, and the shoulders are threaded with satin ribbon and bows. The neck and armholes are edged with lace. Flares slightly towards the hem. The left breast is embroidered with 'EMILIE' contained within a heart. Hand-stitched.

The drawers are knee length and straight cut shaped by darting at the waist. They are open at the crotch. At the knee is a lace edged frill headed by a blue satin ribbon inserted and tied in a bow at the side. They fasten at the sides of the waist with a pearl button and have a tape for adjustment at the centre back.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Chemise
  • Drawers
Materials and techniques
Embroidered lawn, trimmed with lace, satin ribbon
Brief description
Chemise and drawers of embroidered lawn, trimmed with lace, retailed by The White House, Paris, ca. 1909
Physical description
Chemise and drawers of embroidered white lawn.

The sleeveless chemise is trimmed with Valenciennes lace and blue satin ribbon. The chemise is knee length, with a low square neckline, and the shoulders are threaded with satin ribbon and bows. The neck and armholes are edged with lace. Flares slightly towards the hem. The left breast is embroidered with 'EMILIE' contained within a heart. Hand-stitched.

The drawers are knee length and straight cut shaped by darting at the waist. They are open at the crotch. At the knee is a lace edged frill headed by a blue satin ribbon inserted and tied in a bow at the side. They fasten at the sides of the waist with a pearl button and have a tape for adjustment at the centre back.
Object history
This lingerie was made for and 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.
Collection
Accession number
T.196&A-1967

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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