Evening dress
Designer
Charles James
(1906 - 1978)
1954
Silk satin
Gift of Robert Wells In Memory of Lisa Kirk
Object number91.241.134
Charles James is best known for his intricately-cut, sculptural evening gowns. His rigid construction techniques were often balanced by softly draped fabric, as exemplified by this dress. James was a brilliant artist, but he had a notoriously difficult personality, and he was beset by financial problems. In a fifty-year career, he produced less than 1,000 garments.
DescriptionLong evening dress in green silk satin; strapless boned bodice diagonally seamed and draped, long tapered skirt draped at LF waist; asymmetrical folded peplum extending to tapered back panels with fishtail hem effect; diagonal RB zipperCollections
Exhibitions