Dress
c. 1905
Painted linen cutwork, silk chiffon, and cotton
Gift of Mabelle Karagheusian
Object number69.205.7
Women's fashions remained richly decorous into the early 20th century but became increasingly sensual, as seen in this Art Nouveau "Iris" gown. The S-shaped corset, the soft, lingerie-inspired fabrics, and the decadently organic floral motifs replaced three-dimensional crinolines, heavy silks, and trimmings that were popular decades earlier. This gown also demonstrated the then strong connection between fashion, fine art, and other fields of design, such as architecture.
DescriptionTwo-piece Art Nouveau style iris dress in cream silk crinkle chiffon and cutwork of iris flowers in hand painted linen in pastel shades of orange, green and yellow, linked with cotton chainstitch; monobosom bodice with chiffon stand collar, inset bodice grid and back panel of long full sleeves; full length bell skirt flared below hip, with trained back and hem ruffleCollections
Exhibitions