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Wedding Dress

1968 (made)
Artist/Maker
Bellville Sassoon (designer)
Place of origin
Great Britain (made)

Dashing Russian uniforms and film costumes inspired this maxi-length winter wedding coatdress, which is interlined for additional warmth. Its lean lines break with traditional tiny-waisted, full-skirted styles. The fur-trimmed hood is detachable, and elaborate silver and cream frogging and trimming combine with the floral cloque to create an opulent, up-to-the-minute wedding outfit.

Object details

Categories
Marriage
Fashion
Womenswear
Object type
Wedding dress
Materials and techniques
Silk and fur
Silk (Textile)
Fur
Brief description
Silk cloqué wedding dress trimmed with Arctic fox fur, designed by Bellville Sassoon, Great Britain, 1968
Physical description
Cream silk cloqué wedding dress trimmed with Arctic fox fur. Maxi-length, long and lean. The fur-trimmed hood is detachable, and elaborate silver and cream frogging and trimming combine with the floral cloqué to create an opulent wedding outfit.
Dimensions
  • Overall, including fur length: 145cm
  • To waist length: 40.5cm
  • Waist circumference: 74cm
  • Bust circumference: 92cm
  • Diaphragm circumference: 80cm
  • Centre back width: 43.5cm
  • Under sleeve length: 51cm
  • Over sleeve length: 65cm
  • Wristband circumference: 18cm
  • Lower hip circumference: 100cm
  • Skirt, including 4 cms fur length: 104cm
  • Hem circumference: 178cm
Dimensions taken by Conservation for Wedding Dress mounting, 2009 Footprint mounted is 55 x 60cm
Gallery label
(1997)
Dashing Russian uniforms and film costumes inspired this maxi-length winter wedding coatdress, which is interlined for additional warmth. Its lean lines break with traditional tiny-waisted, full-skirted styles. The fur-trimmed hood is detachable, and elaborate silver and cream frogging and trimming combine with the floral cloque to create an opulent, up-to-the-minute wedding outfit.
(2011)
Maxi wedding coat
Bellville et Cie
London
1968

From 1967 maxi-length garments offered an alternative to short hemlines. The new ankle-length coats were also adapted for bridal wear. In 1968 Belinda Bellville designed this romantic, fur-trimmed coat, which was purchased for a December wedding. Bellville designed couture garments for a young but wealthy clientele.

Silk cloqué, embroidered with silk and silver metal thread, trimmed with Arctic fox fur
V&A: T.82-1988
(1991)
These three recent additions to the collection of 20th century fashionable dress celebrate weddings of 1957, 1968 and 1987. From time to time the Museum acquires wedding dresses by leading fashion designers. Display space in this gallery is limited and unfortunately there is not sufficient room for these special occasion gowns which are usually so lavish with spreading skirts, long trains and floating veils. A selection of the V&A's wedding dress collection can be seen at the Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green. Wedding fashions change yet, as these garments reveal, the wearing of white or off white is a tradition most brides continue.

Wedding Coat Dress
Ecru damask trimmed with white Arctic fox
Belinda Bellville, London, Autmn/Winter 1968

An unusual wedding 'dress' designed for wearing on a chilly day in a draughty church, Belinda Bellville is probably best known for romantic decollete evening gowns in lavish silks. The inspiration for this less revealing, but nonetheless romantic coat comes from Russian costume. David Lean's film of 'Dr Zhivago' (1966) made the 'Russian look' popular and furthered the development of longer line midi and maxi clothes. To keep the bride warm the coat dress has a deep fur trimmed hood; a cosy interlining and fastens tight along the centre front with two zips concealed beneath ecru and silver frogging.

T.82-1988
Object history
Purchased. Registered File number 1988/845.
Worn for a marriage that took place on 28 December, 1968.
Production
Autumn / Winter 1968
Summary
Dashing Russian uniforms and film costumes inspired this maxi-length winter wedding coatdress, which is interlined for additional warmth. Its lean lines break with traditional tiny-waisted, full-skirted styles. The fur-trimmed hood is detachable, and elaborate silver and cream frogging and trimming combine with the floral cloque to create an opulent, up-to-the-minute wedding outfit.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.82-1988

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Record createdAugust 26, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O83729/wedding-dress-bellville-sassoon/
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