'Les Muguets' (Lilies of the Valley)
Dress
1955 (made)
1955 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Formal evening gowns were an essential part of a society lady’s wardrobe in the 1950s. Sumptuously embroidered and accessorised with jewels, these gowns provided a glittering show at receptions and balls, the opera or the theatre. Some were specially commissioned for a specific occasion, and worn only once, others bear evidence of alterations.
This dress is embroidered with silk thread and sequins from top to bottom, which would have been very expensive as it was done entirely by hand. It would have been sent out to one of the many specialist workshops in Paris, and each tiny sequin and stitch placed individually by a team of highly-skilled embroiderers.
The dress was worn with a pair of full-length black evening gloves.
This dress is embroidered with silk thread and sequins from top to bottom, which would have been very expensive as it was done entirely by hand. It would have been sent out to one of the many specialist workshops in Paris, and each tiny sequin and stitch placed individually by a team of highly-skilled embroiderers.
The dress was worn with a pair of full-length black evening gloves.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Title | 'Les Muguets' (Lilies of the Valley) (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Silk organdie with silk and sequin embroidery; with satin gloves |
| Brief description | Strapless full-length evening dress of white silk organdie with an all over embroidered pattern in white silk and white plastic sequins, worn with long black satin evening gloves |
| Physical description | Evening dress of white silk organdie with an all over embroidered pattern of lily of the valley in white and cream silk and plastic sequins. It is full-length and has a high waist, is strapless, and has a train. The strapless bodice has a curved neckline with a low back. The bodice is boned and has two circular bust pads. The dress and bodice have a left side zipper and press stud fastening. The dress is fully lined. T.223-A&B Long evening gloves, in black satin; elasticated at inside wrist and top of glove. |
| Style | |
| Production type | Haute couture |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by the Viscountess de Bonchamps |
| Object history | Worn and given by the Viscountess de Bonchamps |
| Subject depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | Formal evening gowns were an essential part of a society lady’s wardrobe in the 1950s. Sumptuously embroidered and accessorised with jewels, these gowns provided a glittering show at receptions and balls, the opera or the theatre. Some were specially commissioned for a specific occasion, and worn only once, others bear evidence of alterations. This dress is embroidered with silk thread and sequins from top to bottom, which would have been very expensive as it was done entirely by hand. It would have been sent out to one of the many specialist workshops in Paris, and each tiny sequin and stitch placed individually by a team of highly-skilled embroiderers. The dress was worn with a pair of full-length black evening gloves. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Other number | 812 - Model number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.223 to B-1974 |
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| Record created | April 4, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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