Object: Ensemble
Designer:
Charles James
(1906 - 1978)
Date: 1937
Medium: Ivory silk organza and satin, pink silk and faille, and grosgrain ribbon
Country: USA
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. John Hammond
Object number: 77.89.3
DescriptionLa Sylphide or Corselet debutante dress with matching corselet cummerbund, in ivory silk organza and satin with grosgrain ribbon halter straps and pink silk roses in bodice cowl; coordinating stole in pink silk faille, fringed at ends; newspaper clipping of photograph of dress as worn by Miss O'Brien
Label Text:In 1934, George Balanchine created his first American ballet, entitled "Serenade". Its eloquent and ephemeral qualities were enhanced by the later designed costumes made from a single layer of tulle. Meanwhile, couturiers such as Charles James began to drape copious lengths of soft, semi-sheer fabrics to craft sweepingly romantic gowns. James, whose sister was a dancer, made a point of noting ballet’s influence when he named the gown —with its abundant corsage—after the famous ballerina role "L’Sylphide" [sic].
In Collection(s)
Exhibitions:
- The Corset: Fashioning the Body
- Pink: The History of a Punk, Pretty, Powerful Color
- Ballerina: Fashion's Modern Muse
- Ravishing: The Rose in Fashion