KCIDigital Archives

The KCI Digital Archives on the KCI website presents image and text information for the objects in the collection, arranged in chronological order.

Cocktail Dress

© The Kyoto Costume Institute, photo by Takashi Hatakeyama

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Cocktail Dress

c. 1951

Designer
Robert Piguet
Brand
Robert Piguet
Label
ROBERT PIGUET PARIS
Material
Blue silk gauze printed with ribbon and dot pattern; halter neck.
Inventory Number(s)
AC05358 86-15AD

The small waist, the flared skirt and the halter neck were representative features of 1950s fashion. This dress was worn by Suzy Parker (1932–2003), a flamboyant American model of the 1950s, who later became an actress. This cocktail dress has a casual appearance. It designed in the later years of Robert Piguet, who passed away in 1953.
Piguet, who opened his haute-couture house in Paris in 1933, was one of the most popular designers in the 1930s, renowned for both his excellent technique and for the simple beauty of his designs. Christian Dior (1905–1957) or Hubert de Givenchy (1927–) who had learned under Piguet became the main forces of Paris Haute Couture after World War II.

1950s