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Mantle

Mantle

  • Place of origin:

    Paris, France (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1913 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Paul Poiret, born 1879 - died 1944 (designer)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Wool, lined with silk chiffon, hand-sewn

  • Museum number:

    T.165&A-1967

  • Gallery location:

    Fashion, room 40, case CA8, shelf FIG1

  • Image in copyright

This mantle is made of bright yellow wool and lined with black chiffon. Based on a deconstructed kimono, it is composed of two rectangles folded on the shoulders and joined on one side with a stylised bow. It illustrates how Poiret was able to combine with rare harmony the bold colours of Fauvism, the vision of Cubism and the exoticism of Eastern garments. The striking costumes of the Ballets Russes had made Fauvism fashionable.

Physical description

Mantle made of bright yellow wool and lined with black silk chiffon. Based on a de-constructed kimono, the mantle is made of two rectangular panels, each forming one side of the garment, folded on the shoulders and joined on one side with a stylised bow. With a slit for the arm and a seam at the shoulder and a belt. The bow on the right side fastens to the hook on its front, and the belt at the right back of the left front fastens to the hook inside its front. One side is put on and fastened, and then the other is put on.

Place of Origin

Paris, France (made)

Date

ca. 1913 (made)

Artist/maker

Paul Poiret, born 1879 - died 1944 (designer)

Materials and Techniques

Wool, lined with silk chiffon, hand-sewn

Object history note

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. While most of the clothes of hers held by the Museum are from the 1920s, the collection also includes a group of 1910s clothes such as this mantle associated with Paul Poiret, who was a personal friend of Emilie Grigsby.

Historical significance: This mantle illustrates how Poiret was able to combine with rare harmony the bold colours of Fauvism, the vision of Cubism and the exoticism of Eastern garments.

Descriptive line

Mantle made of wool lined with silk chiffon, designed by Paul Poiret, Paris, ca. 1913

Exhibition History

Poiret: Kings of Fashion (Moscow Kremlin Museums 06/09/2011-15/01/2011)

Materials

Wool; Chiffon

Techniques

Hand sewing

Categories

Textiles; Fashion; Evening wear; Women's clothes

Production Type

Unique

Collection code

T&F

Qr_O69324
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