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Dress

1929 (designed), ca. 1974 (made)
Artist/Maker
Charles James (designer)
Place of origin
London (designed)
United States (made)

Long and sleeveless evening dress of intricate cross cut construction. The dress has a wrapped round skirt with cut away hem, darted above left knee, and a shawl neckline with self-cape over left shoulder. The white cotton is marked up in black and red to reveal the straight grain of the fabric. Stamped in red 'Charles James' on front and back. The dress fastens with hooks and eyes at left shoulder and a zip down the left of the body. Lines of black scrim emphasise the main features of the cut.


Object details

Categories
Evening Wear
Fashion
Textiles
Womenswear
Object type
Dress
Materials and techniques
Cotton
Cotton
Brief description
Long and sleeveless evening dress (toile dress) in white cotton, designed by Charles James in London in 1974, constructed in the United States ca. 1974.
Physical description
Long and sleeveless evening dress of intricate cross cut construction. The dress has a wrapped round skirt with cut away hem, darted above left knee, and a shawl neckline with self-cape over left shoulder. The white cotton is marked up in black and red to reveal the straight grain of the fabric. Stamped in red 'Charles James' on front and back. The dress fastens with hooks and eyes at left shoulder and a zip down the left of the body. Lines of black scrim emphasise the main features of the cut.
Dimensions
  • Waist (measured inside garment) circumference: 75.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Bust (measured inside garment) circumference: 84cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Nape waist length: 42cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Nape hem length: 159cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Lower hip circumference: 99cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Waist hem length: 118cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Approximate dress size 10-12.
Marks and inscriptions
'Charles James' (Stamped in red on front and back)
Credit line
Given by Mr Homer Layne
Production
Designed by Charles James in London, 1929. Toile constructed in the USA ca. 1974.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.20-1980

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O317792/dress-charles-james/
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