The ensemble, complete with earrings, shoes, and sequined and feathered face mask, was worn by the donor to the Sutton House 'All White Ball' held in June 1983. Rhodes studied textiles at the Royal College of Art. Her first solo collection was in 1967. She is especially known for her ethereal special-occasion clothing and for her fabrics, shapes and colours.
Physical description
Evening dress of white silk chiffon, screen-printed. Long sleeves, full-skirted dress with smocked and elasticated waist. Flowing handkerchief capes attached to shoulders and armholes draping over shoulders and arms. Trimmed with beads, shells sanded down to the mother-of-pearl layer and carved mother-of-pearl bird's wings.
Place of Origin
Great Britain, UK (made)
Date
early 1983 (designed)
June 1983 (worn)
Artist/maker
Rhodes, Zandra, born 1940 (designer)
Materials and Techniques
Screen-printed silk chiffon
Object history note
Worn to the Sutton House 'All White Ball' by the donor. (June 1983)
Descriptive line
Masquerade ball gown, Zandra Rhodes, Great Britain, early 1983
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
De la Haye, Amy (ed). The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997. London: V&A Publications, 1997.
Exhibition History
The Collection Grows: New Acquisitions (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1988-31/12/1988)
Labels and date
EVENING ENSEMBLE
BALL GOWN, BAG AND MASK
English, Zandra Rhodes, London, June 1983
Printed white on white silk chiffon, trimmed with pearled beads, diamond pastes and carved mother-of-pearl shells and bird wings. The ensemble was worn by the donor to the 'All White Ball' held at Sutton Place in 1983.
It is immediately recognisable as a design by Zandra Rhodes from its delicate printed tracery, flying shoulder panels and crinoline skirts. The gown is further enhanced by the subtle gleam and shimmer of the pastes and mother-of-pearl. The same attention to detail is apparent on the elegant mask, which has additional decoration of feathers, ribbons and artificial pearls.
Worn and given by Mrs V. Parness
T.225 to K-1985 [1988]
Materials
Mother-of-pearl; Silk chiffon
Techniques
Screen printed
Categories
Textiles; Clothing; Fashion; Evening wear; Women's clothes
Production Type
Haute couture
Collection code
T&F
