Evening dress
Designer
Barbara Karinska
(1886 - 1983)
1941
Black lace, pink gauze, and pink silk
Gift of Irene Averbrook Weissman
Object number96.117.2
Russian émigré Barbara Karinska was arguably the greatest ballet costumier of the mid-century. She first made her mark collaborating with European artist/designers such as Christian Bérard and Cecil Beaton in the 1930s. At the onset of World War II, she moved to America, where she went on to form a legendary collaboration with fellow émigré, choreographer George Balanchine. Before embarking on a full-time career designing ballet and other dance costumes, she worked briefly as a couturier. Her innovations, such as long tutus made with different colored layers of tulle, may have influenced couturiers such as Charles James.
DescriptionAnkle length evening dress in black lace and peach pink gauze; matching peach pink silk bias slipCollections
Exhibitions