Evening Coat thumbnail 1
Evening Coat thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Evening Coat

1924-1926 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This low-slung black velvet coat has a deep, draped collar and long sleeves. It fastens with one self button below the left hip and is secured inside with black satin ties. The back of the coat and the elbow area of the sleeves have applied embroidered motifs inspired by Chinese designs. It is embroidered in deep pink sequins and a variety of red beads on black chiffon. The bold design consists of swirling floral forms with elongated petals. It has a collar of ostrich feathers dyed deep blue-black with a magenta cluster at the front right. The coat is lined throughout with black satin. It was made between 1924 and 1926 by the English couture house 'Itylus'.

Paul Poiret had popularised evening coats before the First World War. During the 1920s they followed the different shapes of fashion. By 1925 they had become shorter and were more practical. They nevertheless still reflected the vogue for exoticism that began in the early 1920s. This evening coat combines the shape and cut of Western fashion with intricate and luxurious pink metallic embroideries, which were loosely based on Chinese motifs. Designed to reflect light and rhythm, evening fashion of the 1920s made a tremendous use of metallic embroideries and feathers.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Hand-sewn velvet, silk chiffon and ostrich feathers, hand-embroidered with sequins and beads, lined with satin
Brief description
Evening coat in embroidered velvet lined with satin, designed by Itylus, London, 1924-1926
Physical description
Low slung black velvet coat with deep, draped collar and long sleeves. Fastens with one self button below the left hip and is secured inside with black satin ties. Back of coat and elbow area of sleeves have applied Chinese-inspired embroidered motifs. Embroidery in deep pink sequins and a variety of red beads on black silk chiffon - the bold design consists of swirling floral forms with elongated petals. Has an ostrich feather collar dyed deep blue-black with a magenta cluster at the front right. Coat is lined throughout with black satin.
DimensionsJust above the ankle length, approx. size 12
Style
Production typeHaute couture
Marks and inscriptions
'Itylus. 149, Bond Street W' (Makers's mark, centre back; weaving; silk thread)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Hywell-Jones
Historical context
Evening coats, which were popularised by Paul Poiret before the War, followed the different shapes of fashion during the 1920s. By 1925, they had shortened and were more practical. They nevertheless still reflected the vogue for exoticism which began in the early 1920s. This evening coat designed by the couture house Itylus combines the shape and cut of Western fashion with intricate and luxurious pink metallic embroideries loosely inspired by Chinese motifs. Designed to reflect light and rythm, the 1920s evening fashion made a tremendous use of metallic embroideries and feathers.
Summary
This low-slung black velvet coat has a deep, draped collar and long sleeves. It fastens with one self button below the left hip and is secured inside with black satin ties. The back of the coat and the elbow area of the sleeves have applied embroidered motifs inspired by Chinese designs. It is embroidered in deep pink sequins and a variety of red beads on black chiffon. The bold design consists of swirling floral forms with elongated petals. It has a collar of ostrich feathers dyed deep blue-black with a magenta cluster at the front right. The coat is lined throughout with black satin. It was made between 1924 and 1926 by the English couture house 'Itylus'.

Paul Poiret had popularised evening coats before the First World War. During the 1920s they followed the different shapes of fashion. By 1925 they had become shorter and were more practical. They nevertheless still reflected the vogue for exoticism that began in the early 1920s. This evening coat combines the shape and cut of Western fashion with intricate and luxurious pink metallic embroideries, which were loosely based on Chinese motifs. Designed to reflect light and rhythm, evening fashion of the 1920s made a tremendous use of metallic embroideries and feathers.
Collection
Accession number
T.3-1979

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 8, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSON