Silk damask tea-gown trimmed with lace, designed by Callot Soeurs, Paris, ca. 1905

Full-length pink silk damask tea-gown trimmed with ecru lace. The back of the gown features a long Watteau pleat falling from the rounded neckline into the folds of the skirt in the manner of an eighteenth-century sack. With a formal leaf and flower pattern. The sleeves are elbow length with a turn back cuff and an ecru lace frill. The edges of the gown, collar and cuff are trimmed with narrow guaged ribbon and rosettes. Lined with pink satin.

This teagown 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.

T.148-1967