Skirt Suit thumbnail 1
Skirt Suit thumbnail 2
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On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Skirt Suit

1954 (made)
Artist/Maker
Donéllan, Michael (designer)
Place of origin
London (made)

This exceedingly smart two-piece typifies Michael's tailoring prowess. He created understated suits in the colours of the city - grey, black and navy blue - and always gave them distinguishing details. In this case, the natty fitted jacket has a single-breasted fastening which extends to become double-breasted just below the waist and terminates on a triangular cut-away. The jacket is padded at the hips to create a clightly curved profile over a straight-cut skirt with a front-right kick pleat.

Object details

Categories
Fashion
Womenswear
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Skirt suit
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Skirt
Materials and techniques
Worsted wool and buttons
Worsted
Brief description
Two-piece suit consisting of a jacket and skirt of worsted wool, designed by Michael Donéllan, London, 1954
Physical description
Slim fitted two-piece suit consisting of a jacket and skirt of fine black worsted wool garbardine.
DimensionsStockman mannequin size 36
Production typeHaute couture
Gallery label
(1997)
This exceedingly smart two-piece typifies Micheal's tailoring prowess. He created understated suits in the colours of the city - grey, black, and navy blue - and always gave them distinguishing details. In this case, the natty fitted jacket has a single-breasted fastening which extends to become double-breasted just below the waist and terminates on a triangular cut-away. The jacket is padded at the hips to create a slightly curved profile over a straight-cut skirt with a front-right kick pleat.
(22/09/2007)
Suit
Michael Donéllan, also known as 'Michael of Carlos Place' (died 1985)
London
1954

Donéllan's adaptation of the British tailoring tradition so admired by Dior and many French couturiers is characterised by this suit which combines a masculine perfection of fit with feminine dressmaking touches such as the blouse-like collar of the jacket. In his reserved designs for a modern era and concern for sculptural form, Donellan was said to be 'the Balenciaga of London.'

Worsted wool

Worn and given by Dr Vivienne Cohen
V&A: T.52:1&2-1997
Credit line
Given by Dr Vivienne Cohen
Production
Also known as Michael of Carlos Place or Michael of London.
Summary
This exceedingly smart two-piece typifies Michael's tailoring prowess. He created understated suits in the colours of the city - grey, black and navy blue - and always gave them distinguishing details. In this case, the natty fitted jacket has a single-breasted fastening which extends to become double-breasted just below the waist and terminates on a triangular cut-away. The jacket is padded at the hips to create a clightly curved profile over a straight-cut skirt with a front-right kick pleat.
Bibliographic references
  • De La Haye, Amy, ed. The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997. London: V&A Publications, 1997.
  • Wilcox, C. ed. The Golden Age of Couture. London: V&A Publications, 2007, p. 98 & pl. 4.7.
  • Mendes, Valerie. Black In Fashion. London: V&A Publications, 1999.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.52:1, 2-1997

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Record createdFebruary 24, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O74955/skirt-suit-donéllan-michael/
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