EVENING DRESS

Creator(s): Bonwit Teller & Co. (Retailer)

Currently in storage

About this object

Black evening dress with a narrow, sleeveless underdress that closes on the left side with a metal zipper. The outer garment has an open, square neckline in front and a low V in back. Short puffed sleeves are shaped with horsehair and lined with pink tulle. The overdress is composed of horizontal bands of black ulle elaborately decorated with pieces of shaped velvet and black platic sequins applied in long vertical strands. Each motif was numbered sequentially for placement on the dress (visible from reverse). Black horsehair is placed behind decorative elements for support and stability. A second layer of tulle is placed on the inside of the garment as a lining. Outer garment fastens on left side with a series of alternating metal hooks and snaps.

Object name:

EVENING DRESS

Made from:

Velvet -- tulle -- plastic sequins -- horsehair (outer dress); silk (inner dress)

Made in:

USA

Date made:

1933-1938

Size:

16 × 17 × 29 × 41 1/2 × 45 × 158 in. (40.6 × 43.2 × 73.7 × 105.4 × 114.3 × 401.3 cm)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

48.85

Signature marks:

LABEL: Salon de Couture / Bonwit Teller / 5th Avenue [PR lowr side seam hem]

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973