Cocktail dress
Retailer
Saks Fifth Avenue
(American, founded 1924)
Fall 1953
Black silk faille, rhinestones, and spangles
Gift of Sophie Gimbel
Object number75.69.3
The hourglass shape of this dress stands in sharp contrast to the masculine edge of wartime styles. The exaggerated feminine silhouette coincided with renewed social emphasis on women’s traditional charms and domestic roles. As Barbara Schreier put it, “the new silhouette replaced the angles with curves and sanctioned the ornamental function of women.”
DescriptionNew Look cocktail dress in black silk faille embroidered with undulating bands of rhinestones and star shaped spangles; small shawl collar variation, fitted bodice with long dolman sleeves and zipper front, 12 gore circle skirtExhibitions