Armide
Evening Dress
December 1962 (made)
December 1962 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Two tones of blue brocade - pale and darker blue. High waisted bodice, high neck and elbow sleeves, embroidered with blue, silver, pearl and pendant crystal beads. Slightly flared skirt.
Pair of almond-toed stiletto heeled shoes covered in same brocade
Pair of almond-toed stiletto heeled shoes covered in same brocade
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Title | Armide (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | brocade, beading and crystals |
| Brief description | Evening dress and shoes, 1962, French; Lanvin/Castillo |
| Physical description | Two tones of blue brocade - pale and darker blue. High waisted bodice, high neck and elbow sleeves, embroidered with blue, silver, pearl and pendant crystal beads. Slightly flared skirt. Pair of almond-toed stiletto heeled shoes covered in same brocade |
| Production type | Haute couture |
| Credit line | Worn and given by Mrs Loel Guinness |
| Historical context | Gloria Guinness (nee Gloria Rubio y Alatorre, 1912-1980) was an elegant socialite and writer of the mid 20th century. Her third husband, whom she married in 1951, was Group Capt. Thomas Loel Guinness, a Member of Parliament (died 1989) and an heir to the Guinness beer fortune. She was voted 'Best Dressed Woman' in the world by Time magazine in 1962 behind Jackie Kennedy in first place. (See Time magazine Jan 26 1962) She owned seven homes, with a full wardrobe in each so that she would never have to pack or wait at customs. She spread her patronage widely, and amongst donations to the V&A of pieces by Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy etc., are pieces by lesser known couturiers such as Chaumont and Lafaurie. |
| Bibliographic reference | Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971
166 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.289-1974 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | August 31, 2007 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
