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Ball Gown

1999 (made)
Artist/Maker
Emanuel, Elizabeth (designer)
Place of origin
London (made)

Hand-painted pink silk taffeta ballgown by Elizabeth Emanuel, British, 1999. Train, skirt and bodice.


Object details

Categories
Clothing
Womenswear
Object type
Ball gown
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Petticoat
  • Train (Costume Component)
  • Evening Dress
Materials and techniques
Machine Sewing
Hand Sewing
Brief description
Hand-painted pink silk taffeta ballgown by Elizabeth Emanuel, British, 1999. Train, skirt and bodice.
Production typeHaute couture
Marks and inscriptions
"Special / Edition Designed / by / Elizabeth Emanuel / Made in England (1) Makers's mark; English; back of bodice - back of train - back of petticoat; machine embroidery; silk)
Gallery label
Designer Elizabeth Emanuel created this ballgown as a special edition piece for Elizabeth Hurley. The actress wore it in a 1999 advertising campaign for Estée Lauder perfume. Elizabeth Emanuel and her former partner David Emanuel received international acclaim for designing the dress worn by Lady Diana Spencer when she married Prince Charles in 1981. This dress shares the same full-skirted silhouette, but is actually composed of three separate pieces: a bustier, skirt and detachable train.(25/07/2012)
Credit line
Given by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation on behalf of the Mnuchin Foundation.
Object history
This dress was auctioned by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, purchased by Robert and Adriana Mnuchin and donated to the museum. It was worn by Elizabeth Hurley in the 1999 publicity campaign for Estee Lauder

Historical significance: This ball gown typifies Elizabeth Emanuel's style which became world known when she designed Princess Diana's wedding dress in 1981. It is at the same time, both dramatic and fresh, with its tight strapless bodice, full skirt and beautifully hand painted silk.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.907:3-2000

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Record createdNovember 28, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O49825/ball-gown-emanuel-elizabeth/
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