Object: Evening dress
Designer:
Grès
(French)
Date: 1980
Medium: Black and off white matte silk crepe
Country: France
Credit Line: Gift of Diana Vreeland
Object number: 84.40.15
DescriptionFloor length asymmetrical tent evening dress / jumpsuit variation with harem styling, in black and off white horizontal striped silk crepe, tightly shirred over left shoulder
Label Text:Onetime Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Diana Vreeland commissioned this pajama during the last phase of Madame Grès's career. A graphic example of Grès's ethnically-inspired fashions, the gown at first appears to have little connection to non-Western dress because of the striped, Op Art pattern that swirls around the body in an ever-changing optical illusion. Except for one set-in sleeve, the body is one large piece of material joined at the shoulders to form a loop between the legs. The couturier created visual drama by manipulating the fabric on both the straight grain and the bias and by draping the fabric directly on Mrs. Vreeland. The result is a visually bold, uniquely draped evening costume that did not overwhelm its wearer, who was only five feet tall.
In Collection(s)
Exhibitions:
- Madame Grès