Skirt Suit thumbnail 1
Skirt Suit thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Skirt Suit

February 1956 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The coat and skirt are made from horizontally, finely ribbed, snuff brown wool. The coat is short hip length and semi fitted. It fastens to the neck with 5 matching, plain composition buttons. The collar is wide, and turns down. There are low horizontal pockets with wide flaps. The shoulders are only slightly padded, and the sleeves are straight and bracelet length. At low back waist at the centre back is a short belt, buttoned into position. Underneath is a short slit.
The skirt (A) is below knee length with a very short slit at the centre back. It fastens on the left hip with a metal zip mounted on matching beige linen.
Coat and skirt are lined with matching silk tussore.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Skirt
  • Coat
Materials and techniques
Ribbed wool, lined with silk
Brief description
Woollen coat and skirt suit, Balenciaga, Paris, France, February 1956.
Physical description
The coat and skirt are made from horizontally, finely ribbed, snuff brown wool. The coat is short hip length and semi fitted. It fastens to the neck with 5 matching, plain composition buttons. The collar is wide, and turns down. There are low horizontal pockets with wide flaps. The shoulders are only slightly padded, and the sleeves are straight and bracelet length. At low back waist at the centre back is a short belt, buttoned into position. Underneath is a short slit.
The skirt (A) is below knee length with a very short slit at the centre back. It fastens on the left hip with a metal zip mounted on matching beige linen.
Coat and skirt are lined with matching silk tussore.
Credit line
Given by Miss Catherine Hunt
Object history
This dress was worn by Martita Hunt, the British actor. Martita Hunt (1900-1969) was a British theatre and film actor, best known for her 1946 performance as Miss Havisham in David Lean's film version of 'Great Expectations'.

Said by Miss Ramsden to be one of Miss Hunt's favourite suits, to have been among the last she had and to have been made by Balenciaga.
Other number
31 - Model number
Collection
Accession number
T.118A-1970

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Record createdFebruary 14, 2005
Record URL
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