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

Dress

1923-1926 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This short day dress is made of checked silk taffeta in grey, coral, black and white. It is sleeveless, with a square neckline, straight bodice and waistline on the hips. Skirt panels are gathered on to the hip band, over a straight and longer black taffeta underskirt. Paul Poiret designed it between 1923 and 1926. The dress is part of a collection entirely made of checked silk taffeta of grey, coral, white and black. Poiret based it on the 'picture dress', a romantic alternative to the straight chemise dress. The 'picture dress' displayed a long, wide skirt attached to a fitted bodice, usually at a natural waistline. Poiret used it as the basis for a very modern day dress. This combined the outlines of the picture dress with a straight underskirt, made of stiffer fabrics and modern prints. To be in line with the fashionable waistline, Poiret dropped it to the hips.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Glove
  • Glove
  • Dress
Brief description
Poiret, 1925-26. Plaid taffeta with black gloves
Style
Credit line
Given anonymously
Summary
This short day dress is made of checked silk taffeta in grey, coral, black and white. It is sleeveless, with a square neckline, straight bodice and waistline on the hips. Skirt panels are gathered on to the hip band, over a straight and longer black taffeta underskirt. Paul Poiret designed it between 1923 and 1926. The dress is part of a collection entirely made of checked silk taffeta of grey, coral, white and black. Poiret based it on the 'picture dress', a romantic alternative to the straight chemise dress. The 'picture dress' displayed a long, wide skirt attached to a fitted bodice, usually at a natural waistline. Poiret used it as the basis for a very modern day dress. This combined the outlines of the picture dress with a straight underskirt, made of stiffer fabrics and modern prints. To be in line with the fashionable waistline, Poiret dropped it to the hips.
Bibliographic reference
Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971 201
Collection
Accession number
T.342 to B-1974

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Record createdNovember 6, 2002
Record URL
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