Afternoon dress
People and Brands:
Medium: Purple silk velvet, chenille fringe, and ivory chiffon
Date: 1903
Country: France
Credit: Gift of Mary Elizabeth Fogarty
By virtue of its "imperial" purple velvet and long train, this gown conveys a message of exalted status. Prior to the development of synthetic dyes, purple was expensive to produce, and its use was restricted by sumptuary laws.
Object Number: 67.127.1
