Cocktail Dress
1978-1979 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a black jersey evening dress with embroidery of silver sequins and bugle beads. The dress was created by London-based fashion designer Murray Arbeid for Winter 1979. He reinterprets the curvaceous styles of early 1940s dresses. However, the shoulder pads were a forerunner to the 1980s 'power' shoulder.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 4 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Machine-sewn polyester jersey, sequins and bugle beads |
| Brief description | Cocktail dress, black jersey, embroidered, Murray Arbeid, London, Winter 1979 |
| Physical description | Evening dress of black jersey with an asymmetrical construction. The panel on the right drapes over the body and is detailed with silver sequins and bugle beads depicting a spray of lilies. The panel on the left is gathered in a series of pleats. The dress has a deep v-neck, padded shoulders and long sleeves. Accessorised with tights and black patent leather shoes with straps |
| Production type | Haute couture |
| Credit line | Given by the designer |
| Object history | The complete ensemble was donated in 1979 with a customised Adel Rootstein mannequin specially made for the purpose of modelling it. This was part of a group of 25 such total ensembles donated in 1979. This ensemble included a Frederick Fox evening turban (T.184-1980) and came mounted on a custom-designed Adel Rootstein mannequin. |
| Production | Winter 1979, accessorised with a Frederick Fox turban hat |
| Summary | This is a black jersey evening dress with embroidery of silver sequins and bugle beads. The dress was created by London-based fashion designer Murray Arbeid for Winter 1979. He reinterprets the curvaceous styles of early 1940s dresses. However, the shoulder pads were a forerunner to the 1980s 'power' shoulder. |
| Associated object | T.183-1980 (Ensemble) |
| Bibliographic reference | Mendes, Valerie. Black In Fashion. London: V&A Publications, 1999.
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.182-1980 |
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| Record created | January 10, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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