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This object consists of 8 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Evening Outfit

August 1959 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Evening outfit of dress and accessories. Evening dress (croquis no.70,049) embroidered with silver strip, pastes and sequins. it has a low round neck and is sleeveless. The long skirt is gathered at the waist.
a) Matching bag with square flap over fastening and double handle (Balenciaga)
b) Handkerchief of lace trimmed lawn with monogram 'CFB'
c & d) a pair of court shoes of matching material to the dress and bag. They have high stiletto heels, pointed toes with paste decorations on the toes (Saks, Fifth Avenue)
e & f ) High evening gloves of elasticated satin (Christian Dior)

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 8 parts.

  • Evening Dress
  • Glove
  • Glove
  • Shoe
  • Shoe
  • Handkerchief
  • Handbag
  • Packaging
Materials and techniques
Embroidered gazar
Brief description
August 1959, French; Balenciaga. Beige gazar with silver embroidery, pale pink satin
Physical description
Evening outfit of dress and accessories. Evening dress (croquis no.70,049) embroidered with silver strip, pastes and sequins. it has a low round neck and is sleeveless. The long skirt is gathered at the waist.
a) Matching bag with square flap over fastening and double handle (Balenciaga)
b) Handkerchief of lace trimmed lawn with monogram 'CFB'
c & d) a pair of court shoes of matching material to the dress and bag. They have high stiletto heels, pointed toes with paste decorations on the toes (Saks, Fifth Avenue)
e & f ) High evening gloves of elasticated satin (Christian Dior)
Dimensions
  • Height: 14.1cm
  • Width: 7.5cm
  • Length: 21.5cm
Production typeHaute couture
Marks and inscriptions
  • Balenciaga, 10 Avenue George V, Paris (Label - black on white machine woven)
  • 70.049 (Hand-written on back of label)
Gallery label
(27/05/2017-07/02/2018)
TEXTURED EMBELLISHMENT
Rather than using conventional floral motifs, the embroidery on this dress resembles barbed wire. It may derive from religious imagery of Christ’s crown of thorns. The embroidery is probably by Parisian embroiderer Rébé, founded in 1907 by René Bégué. Rébé was the great rival of Lesage and known for their unusual use of textures.

Evening dress
Silk gazar with silver strip, pastes and sequins
Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paris, 1959
Given by Mrs Charlton Henry
V&A: T.17-1974
Credit line
Worn and given by Mrs Charlton Henry
Object history
Worn and given by Mrs Charlton Henry
Subjects depicted
Association
Bibliographic reference
Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971 no. 9
Other number
85 - Model number
Collection
Accession number
T.17-1974

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Record createdFebruary 21, 2005
Record URL
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