Object: Afternoon dress
Designer:
Paul Poiret
(1879 - 1944)
Date: c. 1920
Medium: Silk crêpe de chine
Country: France
Credit Line: Museum purchase
Object number: P76.1.1
DescriptionAfternoon dress in brown and rose pink silk crepe de chine; rounded square neck finished with tiny cream organza ruching; long sleeves have 13.5 cm. flounce of rose and brown embroidered with gold bullion multiple stitching and cream chain stitch motifs; long torso bodice with eight button closing on scalloped left side attached to rose skirt with small side pleats; banded with brown at hem; two bands of multiple gold stitching above hem band; skirt has scattered circular motifs in cream and gold chain stitch. 1.5 cm. tie belt in rose.
Label Text:Stylized floral roundels are the only hints of Orientalism in this youthful design. The clustered groupings of embroidered motifs are similar to those found on kimonos, and the circle theme is repeated in polka dot embroidery and a scalloped placket. This dress was owned by Poiret’s wife, Denise, whose own sense of style influenced her husband’s work.
In Collection(s)
Exhibitions:
- Exoticism