Evening Dress thumbnail 1
Evening Dress thumbnail 2
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Evening Dress

1895-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Etiquette dictated that women of society vary their evening dress according to the occasion. Dresses like this one with uncovered arms and neck were known as 'Full dress'. They were suitable for dances, balls, dinners and visits to the opera. Ladies of high rank usually wore gowns with longer sleeves and higher necklines at less formal venues such as the theatre.

The location of Festa & Co's establishment at Carlos Place was in Mayfair, at the heart of London's court dressmaking industry. Their clientele would have been drawn from the height of the aristocracy, with London houses nearby. The house of Worth and other famous couturiers were also close neighbours.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bodice
  • Skirt
Materials and techniques
Silk satin and grosgrain trimmed with tulle, lined with cotton, whalebone and starched gauze
Brief description
Evening dress ensemble (bodice and skirt), made by Festa & Co., London, 1895-1900
Physical description
Evening dress ensemble, consisting of a bodice and skirt, in silk satin and grosgrain trimmed with tulle and lined with cotton.
Marks and inscriptions
Waist-tape stamped with 'Robes, Manteaux et Corsets, Festa & Co, 12-14 Carlos St, one door from Grosvenor Square, London W' and 'Philadelphia (?illegible), London, Paris and Cape of Good Hope'.
Credit line
Given by Fred Hohler
Summary
Etiquette dictated that women of society vary their evening dress according to the occasion. Dresses like this one with uncovered arms and neck were known as 'Full dress'. They were suitable for dances, balls, dinners and visits to the opera. Ladies of high rank usually wore gowns with longer sleeves and higher necklines at less formal venues such as the theatre.

The location of Festa & Co's establishment at Carlos Place was in Mayfair, at the heart of London's court dressmaking industry. Their clientele would have been drawn from the height of the aristocracy, with London houses nearby. The house of Worth and other famous couturiers were also close neighbours.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
T.625:1, 2 -1999

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Record createdDecember 5, 2001
Record URL
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