EVENING DRESS

Currently in storage

About this object

Marjorie Merriweather Post's daughter, Eleanor Post Close (1909-2007), wore this gown for her marriage to Etienne Marie Robert Gautier in Paris on April 4, 1933.

Mrs. Post's daughter, Eleanor Post Close (American, 1909), wore this gray evening dress for her marriage to Etienne Marie Robert Gautier in Paris on April 4, 1933. It is also the dress worn in the Howard Chandler Christy portrait of Eleanor. The garment is built on a satin foundation with a bias cut satin front panel that wraps around the waist and closes on the left side. Overlaid panels of crêpe chiffon are wrapped on the bias to complete the bodice. The elbow length, fitted undersleeves are finished with a puffed, pleated oversleeve. Fabric flowers stiffened with a light millinery wire are placed on the left shoulder and continue down the back. A satin waist sash secures at left side under a flat bow with ties extending the legth of the skirt. The bell shaped skirt is created from alternating strips of satin and chiffon sewn on the bias.

Object name:: EVENING DRESS
Made from:: Crêpe-backed satin -- crêpe chiffon
Made in:: Paris, France
Date made:: 1930-1935
Size:: H. 15 1/2 in. (shoulder to waist front); H. 16 in. (shoulder to waist back); Dia. 26 1/2 in. (waist circumference); H. 44 in. (waist to hem front); H. 45 in. (waist to hem back); Dia. 124 in. (hem circumference)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:: 48.78
Signature marks:: LABEL: Ete 1933 / Callot Soeurs / PARIS / NOUVELL MARQUEA DEPOSEE [on waist tape, in green embroidery] INSCRIPTION: 53764 [on back on waist tape, written in purple ink] TAG: Christy / 1933 [handwritten note in pencil on scrap of paper pinned to garment]
Credit line:: Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973