Evening dress
Designer
Grès
(French)
Manufacturer
Petillant
1967
Black silk faille
Museum purchase
Object number2002.18.1
One of the finest existing examples of the Grès sculptural gown is "Turandot." Photographed by Irving Penn on the model Verushka, it is basic in its construction, but operatic in manifestation. Made of black silk faille, the sleeveless, jeweled neckline was cut from a full circle placed on top of two other, larger circles. Made using the same principles as a tiered wedding cake, it is anything but saccharine. The folds of inky silk are brilliantly controlled: they give the wearer a kind of languid animation, not unlike a robed emperor or cleric.
DescriptionTurandot dress; long collarless, sleeveless evening tent dress in black silk faille by Petillant; architectural, voluminous, with three staggered full circle layers; with deep CB slitCollections
Exhibitions