Costume thumbnail 1
Costume thumbnail 2
+3
images
On display

Costume

ca. 2007 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The toile for this dress was worn by British music artist PJ Harvey for the cover art of her seventh studio album White Chalk, released in 2007. Harvey's collaborator Annie Mochnacz designed and made this and other dresses in the same style to be worn by Harvey to support this album release. They were worn on tour and for promotional artwork.

Delve deeper

Discover more about this object
watch Conserving a PJ Harvey costume In this ASMR video, watch and listen to Senior Textile Conservator Susana Fajardo as she works on a costume worn by musician PJ Harvey on the cover of her seventh studio album, 'White Chalk'.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cotton and silk; machine embroidery, machine sewing and appliqué
Brief description
Off-white dress with embroidered and appliquéd lyrics worn by PJ Harvey
Physical description
Off-white American West style full-length dress with high neckline, structured bodice and leg of mutton sleeves. The dress features a selection of words and lyrics from the PJ Harvey songs The Devil and Grow Grow Grow from her 2007 album White Chalk. The words are appliquéd and machine embroidered onto the surface on the bodice, sleeves and skirt in dark blue cotton thread. Pieces of off-white silk have been applied to the skirt and bodice, which is fitted at the back with a line of small black buttons with loop closures.
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
(07/03/2022)
Gallery Rotation, 2022

LYRICS DRESS WORN BY PJ HARVEY
2007

With its high neckline, structured waist and leg-of-mutton sleeves, this stage outfit worn by PJ Harvey is reminiscent of a Victorian dress. The ‘unfinished’ nature of the construction and the bold addition of Harvey’s lyrics embroidered on the surface give it a contemporary twist. It was designed and made by the musician’s longtime collaborator, Annie Mochnacz.

Designed and made by Annie Mochnacz
Cotton and silk
Polly Harvey Archive, given by the artist
Museum no. S.149-2021
Credit line
Polly Harvey Archive, given by the artist
Object history
This dress was worn for promotional images and touring shows supporting the release of PJ Harvey's album White Chalk.
Summary
The toile for this dress was worn by British music artist PJ Harvey for the cover art of her seventh studio album White Chalk, released in 2007. Harvey's collaborator Annie Mochnacz designed and made this and other dresses in the same style to be worn by Harvey to support this album release. They were worn on tour and for promotional artwork.
Collection
Accession number
S.149-2021

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

Record createdDecember 20, 2019
Record URL
Download as: JSON