92.120.1

Images (4)

Paris Refashioned_27 92.120.1 (silk dress), 2003.100.4 (black dress)

MinMax_35 2000.88.1 (dress), 88.75.1 (gold dress), 92.120.1 (dress)

MinMax_30 Left to right 2000.88.1 (dress), 88.75.1 (gold dress), 92.120.1 (dress), 2016.110.3 (glasses), 72.112.19 (dress), 71.213.18DE (boots), 95.72.1 (jumpsuit), 82.69.1 (coat)

Object: Cocktail dress

Brand: Balmain (French, founded 1945)

Designer: Pierre Balmain (1914 - 1982)

Date: Fall 1958

Medium: Ivory silk satin, green silk, metallic embroidery, beige chenille, blue feathers, and iridescent sequins and beads

Country: France

Credit Line: Gift of Ms. Dion Alden

Object number: 92.120.1

DescriptionIvory silk satin cocktail dress symmetrically embroidered with floral design in gold and silver metallic thread, green silk, beige chenille, blue feathers, and iridescent sequins and beads; fitted camisole bodice; pegged, tapered skirt; couture

Label Text:The elaborate, hand-stitched embroidery on this cocktail dress was likely inspired by Balmain’s admiration for 18th-century waistcoat motifs. Such lavish embellishments called attention to couture embroidery’s long history of unparalleled craftsmanship. Luxuriant details were paramount in reestablishing France as the capital of fashion after the Second World War.

Exhibitions:

Minimalism / Maximalism: Fashion Extremes
Paris Refashioned, 1957-1968