Object: Evening dress
Designer:
Geoffrey Beene
(1927 - 2004)
Date: c.1993
Medium: Gold and black sequins, chiffon, satin
Country: USA
Credit Line: Gift of Norma Kline Tiefel
Object number: 2003.72.1
DescriptionLong tapered evening sheath with black and nude/beige sequined asymmetrical design; camisole top with satin ribbon straps, slanted F&B Bandeau flap; diagonal black panel with point at FF waist and open vertical edge for front wrap effect
Label Text:With this dress, Geoffrey Beene explores strategies of concealing and revealing the body through the use of beige and black sequins, and by manipulating color and geometric form, he emphasizes the contrast between waist and hips. Known for infusing wry humor into his designs, Beene subtly suggests the notion of a sarong coming undone - a scene once he observed when a gust of wind caused a woman to grab at her unraveling cover-up. Remaining true to his sense of propriety, Beene employs beige sequins to hint at the notion of bare flesh while keeping the body concealed, thus preserving the dress' overall modesty.
Exhibitions:
- Eleanor Lambert: Empress of Seventh Avenue