Evening Dress
Paco Rabanne led the field of radical experimentation in elite fashion design in the 1960s. Having trained as an architect, initially he made plastic buttons and jewellery for Paris couture houses. When he opened his own fashion business in 1966, his architectural background and the current interest in space travel informed his work. Using techniques borrowed from jewellery, he created sculptural dresses in unconventional materials which broke all the rules.
This 'chain mail' dress was worn over a flesh-coloured bodystocking. Baroness Helen Bachofen von Echt wore it to a party in New York where she danced with Frank Sinatra.
This 'chain mail' dress was worn over a flesh-coloured bodystocking. Baroness Helen Bachofen von Echt wore it to a party in New York where she danced with Frank Sinatra.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Plastic pailletes with metal wire and nylon |
| Brief description | Evening mini-dress designed by Paco Rabanne, Paris, 1967, with body stocking made by Warnaco, United States, 1970, and packaging |
| Physical description | Evening mini-dress with body stocking and packaging. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Haute couture |
| Credit line | Given by Baroness Helen Bachofen von Echt |
| Association | |
| Summary | Paco Rabanne led the field of radical experimentation in elite fashion design in the 1960s. Having trained as an architect, initially he made plastic buttons and jewellery for Paris couture houses. When he opened his own fashion business in 1966, his architectural background and the current interest in space travel informed his work. Using techniques borrowed from jewellery, he created sculptural dresses in unconventional materials which broke all the rules. This 'chain mail' dress was worn over a flesh-coloured bodystocking. Baroness Helen Bachofen von Echt wore it to a party in New York where she danced with Frank Sinatra. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.165:1 to 3-1983 |
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| Record created | March 15, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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