Fancy dress costume
Designer
Paul Poiret
(1879 - 1944)
1919
Silver gauze, red chiffon, lavender brocade, pearls, feathers, pink satin, silver lamé, and rhinestones
Gift of Mrs. Katheryn Colton
Object number74.36.29
The French couturier Paul Poiret always hotly denied that he had been influenced by the Ballets Russes. Although the historical evidence contradicts his claim to have pioneered the “Oriental” look in fashion, he certainly played an important role in popularizing it. Poiret designed this costume for a fancy dress party in 1919.
DescriptionTurkish style harem costume: Crushed silver gauze tunic with attached pale purple and silver cummerbund, and deep red chiffon trousers; Matching pale purple brocade turban edged with pearls and with enormous red feather and ruby at center front; Slippers in pink satin and figured silver lamé decorated with rhinestones and rubies; Gem encrusted fake scimitar in silver lamé; and coordinating auburn wigCollections
Exhibitions