Dress
Brand
Madame Louise
c. 1893
Silk brocade, silk velvet, lace, and beaded passementerie
Gift of Eleanor and Katherine Park
Object number73.40.1
The label on the waistband of this bodice bears a British coat of arms, identifying Madame Louise as having royal clients. The dress shows traces of having a bustle, but fullness once relegated to the back of the skirt is now being supplanted by exaggerated sleeves, highlighted here by beaded passementerie. The feather-patterned fabric is in a style closely associated with the House of Worth, furthering Madame Louise’s association with royal patronage.
DescriptionTwo-piece dress; boned bodice of mauve / purple silk brocaded in feather pattern; standing collar and front trimmed with openwork braid of mauve beads and tinsel thread; cream grosgrain front panel with 13 pearl button closing trimmed with embroidered net chiffon; two velvet ruffled flanges trimmed in beaded open work over sleeve at shoulder; waist dipping in back with 6 weighted tabs; lace ruffle at cuff with three double rows of velvet cord up forearm. Skirt of matching brocade; narrow waistband with two hook / eye closings center back; apron panel with shirred band released into ruffle at hem; six pleats center back; mauve taffeta inner skirt attached at back.Collections
Exhibitions