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.

Evening Dress

© The Kyoto Costume Institute, photo by Takashi Hatakeyama

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Evening Dress

c. 1937

Designer
Elsa Schiaparelli
Brand
Schiaparelli
Label
none
Material
Black silk crepe; printed, pleated; with matching belt.
Inventory Number(s)
AC9470 97-23-1AB

Print dresses, a trend in the 1930s, became pop and unique in the hands of Schiaparelli. The print was possibly designed by a popular illustrator, Marcel Vertès. There is a column motif with her logotype in the print design. The column motif is a symbol of the Place Vendôme, where Schiaparelli's "maison" was located, and appeared in the advertisement for her perfume illustrated by Vertès. As artists were challenged to employ usual scenes and utilitarian objects in everyday life as their main subject, Schiaparelli brought such objects to "haute couture", where dignity and elegance had been considered important.

1930s