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Evening dress and cape
Coco Chanel, born 1883 - died 1971 - Enlarge image
Evening dress and cape
- Place of origin:
Paris (made)
- Date:
1937-1938 (designed)
- Artist/Maker:
Coco Chanel, born 1883 - died 1971 (designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Silk satin and net embroidered with sequins, lined with satin
- Credit Line:
Given by Mrs Leo d'Erlanger
- Museum number:
T.87&A-1974
- Gallery location:
In Storage
Chanel created extravagant evening wear such as this sequinned dress and cape. The combination of glistening black sequins and scarlet satin panels is very dramatic. The rows of overlapping 'fish-scale' sequins emphasise the supple, falling lines of the outfit. The short, semi-circular cape has a scarlet satin lining.
Mrs Leo d'Erlanger wore this ensemble, which forms part of the Cecil Beaton Collection. Sir Cecil Beaton was a society photographer. With great energy and determination Beaton contacted the well-dressed élite of Europe and North America to help create this monument to the art of dress. The Collection was exhibited in 1971, accompanied by a catalogue that detailed its enormous range.