Not currently on display at the V&A

Trouser Suit

1990 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Evening trouser suit designed by Giorgio Armani, Milan, Italy, 1990.

The suit consists of a jacket with features in common with 'Nehru jackets' and trousers. The jacket is in black net over printed silk. The trousers are made from black and white printed silk and are entirely covered in clear square sequins.

Tailored, hip-length jackets with standing collars and long placket of buttons became popular in places including Europe in the late 1960s. These garments were widely referred to as 'Nehru jackets' as they take inspiration from garments worn by Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964. Nehru wore the archkan, a knee length coat and the more informal bundi waistcoat, both of which had standing collars and long button plackets. Those who wore 'Nehru jackets' outside of India in the 'Swinging Sixties' tended to be expressing an interest in breaking away from traditions, sartorial and otherwise. This helps to explain why 'Nehru jackets' were often made from luxurious fabrics such as silk and velvet that were colourful and/or patterned, rather than the plainer materials that had long been favoured for menswear by many cultures. The style had its heyday in the late 1960s but was revived in the 1980s and 1990s in places including Britain and the United States. The jacket in this ensemble is tailored, has a long-line cut, and features a long placket of buttons, but it does not have a standing collar.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Blazer
  • Trousers
Materials and techniques
Printed silk, net and sequins
Brief description
Evening trouser suit, womenswear ensemble, designed by Giorgio Armani, Milan, Italy, 1990
Physical description
Evening trouser suit consisting of a jacket with features in common with 'Nehru jackets' and trousers. The jacket is in black net over printed silk. The trousers are made from black and white printed silk and are entirely covered in clear square sequins.
Credit line
Given by the designer
Object history
Registered File number 1990/2048.
Summary
Evening trouser suit designed by Giorgio Armani, Milan, Italy, 1990.

The suit consists of a jacket with features in common with 'Nehru jackets' and trousers. The jacket is in black net over printed silk. The trousers are made from black and white printed silk and are entirely covered in clear square sequins.

Tailored, hip-length jackets with standing collars and long placket of buttons became popular in places including Europe in the late 1960s. These garments were widely referred to as 'Nehru jackets' as they take inspiration from garments worn by Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964. Nehru wore the archkan, a knee length coat and the more informal bundi waistcoat, both of which had standing collars and long button plackets. Those who wore 'Nehru jackets' outside of India in the 'Swinging Sixties' tended to be expressing an interest in breaking away from traditions, sartorial and otherwise. This helps to explain why 'Nehru jackets' were often made from luxurious fabrics such as silk and velvet that were colourful and/or patterned, rather than the plainer materials that had long been favoured for menswear by many cultures. The style had its heyday in the late 1960s but was revived in the 1980s and 1990s in places including Britain and the United States. The jacket in this ensemble is tailored, has a long-line cut, and features a long placket of buttons, but it does not have a standing collar.
Collection
Accession number
T.155:1 to 2-1991

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Record createdAugust 21, 2008
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