Skirt Suit thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Skirt Suit

1963 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

John Cavanagh's immaculate streamlined two-piece is in a luxurious fabric with a slight sheen. Impeccable cut and construction together with skilled hand finishing are needed to create such a simple, pared-down style. The semi-fitted jacket has curved seams that skim the body's contours to just above waist level. The minimally flared skirt is attached to a half slip - a couture device that ensures that the skirt hangs perfectly. In 1960 Vogue said that "the woman who dresses at Cavanagh buys clothes that stand competition with the best that Paris can produce."


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Skirt
  • Jacket
Materials and techniques
Silk zibeline
Brief description
Single-breasted jacket and a slightly flared skirt in silk zibeline from Staron, made by John Cavanagh, Great Britain, 1963
Physical description
Semi-fitted and single-breasted jacket with curved seams and three front buttons, and a slightly flared skirt, both of cream silk zibeline.
Dimensions
  • Jacket and skirt weight: 1.04kg
Production typeHaute couture
Gallery label
John Cavanagh's immaculate streamlined two-piece is in a luxurious fabric with a slight sheen. Impeccable cut and construction together with skilled hand finishing are needed to create such a simple, pared-down style. The semi-fitted jacket has curved seams that skim the body's contours to just above waist level. The minimally flared skirt is attached to a half slip - a couture device that ensures that the skirt hangs perfectly.(1997)
Credit line
Given by the Hon. Mrs J.J. Astor
Summary
John Cavanagh's immaculate streamlined two-piece is in a luxurious fabric with a slight sheen. Impeccable cut and construction together with skilled hand finishing are needed to create such a simple, pared-down style. The semi-fitted jacket has curved seams that skim the body's contours to just above waist level. The minimally flared skirt is attached to a half slip - a couture device that ensures that the skirt hangs perfectly. In 1960 Vogue said that "the woman who dresses at Cavanagh buys clothes that stand competition with the best that Paris can produce."
Bibliographic references
  • de la Haye, Amy, ed. The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997. V&A Publications, London, 1997, pp. 45-47.
  • Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971 46
Collection
Accession number
T.84&A-1974

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Record createdSeptember 2, 2003
Record URL
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