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Not currently on display at the V&A

Evening Dress

1928-1929 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This long evening dress of aquamarine chiffon has a printed floral pattern in shades of lilac, orange and gold. The pattern is inspired by Chinese designs and is outlined with iridescent sequins. The dress is straight cut with a low round neck at the front and a deep 'V' at the back. It is sleeveless. Attached at the hips are four shield-shaped panels of golden tulle outlined in golden sequins. A sunburst pattern is embroidered on them in iridescent sequins. Three graduated layers of gathered aquamarine tulle edge and join the panels. They are longer at the back than at the front. Worth probably made the dress, between 1928 and 1929.

Night life became the focus for the exuberance of the years after the First World War. It gave birth to the most glamorous evening fashions of the 20th century. Throughout the 1920s, and in spite of changing fashions, the legacy of the Ballets Russes remained evident in the exoticism and luxury of evening gowns and mantles. This was seen especially in the continuing use of shiny fabrics, embroideries, tassels and sashes. Evening dresses were sleeveless, long and feminine. They were embellished with exotic embroideries, sequins and metallic threads to achieve the maximum effect of brilliance. This dress shows the characteristic flounces of the later period, when volume made a reappearance in fashion.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Evening Dress
  • Slip
Materials and techniques
Printed chiffon, sequins, tulle, partly embroidered, charmeuse, net, lace, crêpe
Brief description
Chiffon dress and charmeuse petticoat, possibly designed by Jean-Charles Worth, France, 1928-1929
Physical description
Long evening dress of aquamarine chiffon with a Chinese-inspired printed floral pattern in shades of lilac, orange and gold. The pattern is outlined with iridescent sequins. The dress is straight cut with a low round neck in the front and a deep 'V' at the back. It is sleeveless. Attached at the hips are four shield-shaped panels of golden tulle outlined in golden sequins and with a sunburst pattern embroidered on them in iridescent sequins. Three graduated layers of aquamarine tulle, gathered, edge and join the panels. They are longer at the back than at the front.

Petticoat of silver grey charmeuse with matching net shoulder straps and an acquamarine net band at the hem. It has a low 'V' neck with grey net with a grey net frill in the front and a straight cut back. It folds over on the left hand side from the hip to allow for movement. At the hem is a band of gold embroidered lace mounted on acquamarine tulle and below it is a band of green crêpe faced with acquamarine tulle.
Dimensions
  • Bust circumference: 38in
  • Hips circumference: 42in
  • Petticoat length: 46in
Style
Production typeHaute couture
Credit line
Given by Lady Hoyer Millar
Historical context
Night life became the focus for post-war exuberance and gave birth to the most glamorous evening fashion of the new century. Throughout the 1920s, and in spite of the changing fashions, the legacy of the Ballets Russes remained evident in the exoticism and luxury of the evening gowns and mantles, especially in the continuing use of shiny fabrics, embroideries, tassels and sashes. Evening dresses were sleeveless, long and feminine, and embellished with exotic embroideries, sequins and metallic threads, to achieve the maximum effect of brilliance. This dress shows the characteristic flounces of the later period, when volume makes a reapparence into fashion.
Summary
This long evening dress of aquamarine chiffon has a printed floral pattern in shades of lilac, orange and gold. The pattern is inspired by Chinese designs and is outlined with iridescent sequins. The dress is straight cut with a low round neck at the front and a deep 'V' at the back. It is sleeveless. Attached at the hips are four shield-shaped panels of golden tulle outlined in golden sequins. A sunburst pattern is embroidered on them in iridescent sequins. Three graduated layers of gathered aquamarine tulle edge and join the panels. They are longer at the back than at the front. Worth probably made the dress, between 1928 and 1929.

Night life became the focus for the exuberance of the years after the First World War. It gave birth to the most glamorous evening fashions of the 20th century. Throughout the 1920s, and in spite of changing fashions, the legacy of the Ballets Russes remained evident in the exoticism and luxury of evening gowns and mantles. This was seen especially in the continuing use of shiny fabrics, embroideries, tassels and sashes. Evening dresses were sleeveless, long and feminine. They were embellished with exotic embroideries, sequins and metallic threads to achieve the maximum effect of brilliance. This dress shows the characteristic flounces of the later period, when volume made a reappearance in fashion.
Collection
Accession number
T.56&A-1961

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Record createdJanuary 8, 2003
Record URL
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