Evening Dress
1937 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Chanel created extravagant evening wear such as this sequinned dress and cape. The combination of glistening black sequins and scarlet satin panels is very dramatic. The rows of overlapping 'fish-scale' sequins emphasise the supple, falling lines of the outfit. The short, semi-circular cape has a scarlet satin lining.
Mrs Leo d'Erlanger wore this ensemble, which forms part of the Cecil Beaton Collection. Sir Cecil Beaton was a society photographer. With great energy and determination Beaton contacted the well-dressed élite of Europe and North America to help create this monument to the art of dress. The Collection was exhibited in 1971, accompanied by a catalogue that detailed its enormous range.
Mrs Leo d'Erlanger wore this ensemble, which forms part of the Cecil Beaton Collection. Sir Cecil Beaton was a society photographer. With great energy and determination Beaton contacted the well-dressed élite of Europe and North America to help create this monument to the art of dress. The Collection was exhibited in 1971, accompanied by a catalogue that detailed its enormous range.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Silk satin and net embroidered with sequins, lined with satin |
| Brief description | Full length evening dress and cape of silk satin and net embroidered with sequins, designed by Coco Chanel for CHANEL, Paris, Autumn Winter 1937 |
| Physical description | Full length evening dress and cape of black net entirely covered with overlapping black sequins, and with a crimson satin double waistband and gores inset into the skirt. With a short and semi-circular shoulder cape of crimson silk satin with the outside entirely covered in overlapping black sequins as with the dress. Dress with a sleeveless bodice and decolleté with straps. Side gusset of red scarlet. Side hook fastening attached to the bodice, and at the waist is a boned foundation panel. The cape is lined with red satin. Round neck and hook fastening. |
| Production type | Haute couture |
| Gallery label | [Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto exhibition, September 2023 - March 2024]
DRESS AND CAPE
The striking colour scheme, contrasting sashes and short shoulder cape here evoke a Catholic cardinal’s cassock and pellegrina cape. American socialite Mrs Leo d’Erlanger wore this ensemble. She regularly featured in fashion and society magazines in the 1930s, including American Vogue, Tatler and The Sketch, and was celebrated for her sense of style.
Autumn/Winter 1937
Silk satin, net and sequins
V&A: T.87&A-1974
Given by Mrs Leo d’Erlanger(September 2023) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Leo d'Erlanger |
| Summary | Chanel created extravagant evening wear such as this sequinned dress and cape. The combination of glistening black sequins and scarlet satin panels is very dramatic. The rows of overlapping 'fish-scale' sequins emphasise the supple, falling lines of the outfit. The short, semi-circular cape has a scarlet satin lining. Mrs Leo d'Erlanger wore this ensemble, which forms part of the Cecil Beaton Collection. Sir Cecil Beaton was a society photographer. With great energy and determination Beaton contacted the well-dressed élite of Europe and North America to help create this monument to the art of dress. The Collection was exhibited in 1971, accompanied by a catalogue that detailed its enormous range. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.87&A-1974 |
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| Record created | January 7, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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