Object: Dress
Designer:
Mme. Arnaud
Date: c. 1888
Medium: Green silk velvet, green silk faille, multi-color beads and embroidery
Country: France
Credit Line: Museum purchase
Object number: 2008.46.1
DescriptionDark green velvet dress ensemble with two bodices comprised of: open front day bodice with dark green silk faille lapels, silk faille under bodice and cuffs with all over embroidered floral motif of brown satin stitch and green cut-steel beads; alternate formal closed front afternoon bodice with dark green silk faille lapels, collar and cuffs all embroidered with floral motif in brown satin stitch and green cut-steel beads, light green silk chiffon trim at neckline and CF bodice, mint green bow detail at L neckline and R and L cuffs, 3/4 length sleeves with lace trim at cuff; and open front green velvet skirt with CF skirt panel of green silk faille with draped front, and knife pleated silk fialle ruffle along hem
Label Text:Madame Arnaud’s Rue Bassano address did not put her at the geographic center of Paris fashion, but this elaborate morning dress nonetheless identifies her as a talented couturière. Her interest in sumptuous materials is evident in the richly colored fabrics that drape and fold to create the skirt’s sculptural form. The top folds of the velvet overskirt are stiffened to maintain an origami-like shape. This dress also has a more formal bodice to wear in the afternoon.
Exhibitions:
- Arbiters of Style