Not on display

Molyneux

Jumper
early 1950s (made)
Artist/Maker
Women's Home Industries (designed for)
Bellini, Beatrice (designer)
Place of origin
Great Britain (made)

This 1950s purple sweater has a fashionable open neck and three-quarter length sleeves. Casual clothing inspired by sportswear was worn by American teenagers before being introduced into Britain.

Although by this period much knitwear was machine-made for the mass market, the label on this jumper declares that it is a hand-knitted product of 'Women's Home Industries'.

Object details

Categories
Clothing
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Jumper
TitleMolyneux (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Hand knitted wool
Wool Yarn
Hand Knitted
Brief description
Jumper 'Molyneux' of hand-knitted purple wool, made by Women's Home Industries, Great Britain, 1950s
Physical description
Jumper of hand-knitted purple wool. With an open neck and three-quarter length sleeves.
Dimensions
  • Collar to waist length: 59cm
  • Arms outstretched width: 118cm
Tension: 9.5 stitches per inch 3.5 stitches per cm
Marks and inscriptions
'MADE IN ENGLAND OF 100% WOOL / KNITTED BY HAND / WOMENS HOME INDUSTRIES LTD' [underlined] (In red on the label on the garment)
Gallery label
(1985)
'MOLYNEUX' SWEATER
Hand-knitted one-ply wool
British: Beatrice Bellini for the Women's Home Industries Ltd, early 1950s

This waisted sweater with dolman sleeves, 'V' neck and attached collar is deceptively simple. The front and back, including the sleeves, are each knitted in one piece. The 'cut on the cross' effect of diagonal stocking stitch is achieved by decreasing stitches at the centre front and centre back. The sweater is hemmed at the lower edge and wrists.

The couture designer Edward Molyneux was so impressed when he saw this design that he gave permission for it to be named after him.

The Womens Home Industries was a post-war offshoot of the Women's Voluntary Services. The organization, formed originally to make 'comforts for the troops', was run by Lady Reading and employed hand-knitters all over Britain.It quickly became known for its high quality fashionable garments and by 1950 was exporting to the finest shops in the United States. Its designer, Beatrice Bellini, now carries on the business under her own name.

Worn and given by Beatrice Bellini
T.207-1985
The skirt is a replica
Credit line
Given by Beatrice Bellini
Object history
Registered File number 1985/1562.
Summary
This 1950s purple sweater has a fashionable open neck and three-quarter length sleeves. Casual clothing inspired by sportswear was worn by American teenagers before being introduced into Britain.

Although by this period much knitwear was machine-made for the mass market, the label on this jumper declares that it is a hand-knitted product of 'Women's Home Industries'.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.207-1985

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Record createdJanuary 17, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O108607/molyneux-jumper-bellini-beatrice/
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