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Costume and Textiles

Woman's Evening Dress

Made in Paris, France, Europe

Summer 1940

Designed by Elsa Schiaparelli, French (born Italy), 1890 - 1973

Printed silk plain weave, silk faille
Center Front Length: 51 inches (129.5 cm) Waist: 26 inches (66 cm)

Currently not on view

1969-232-44

Gift of Mme Elsa Schiaparelli, 1969

Label

The dress is made up from scarves printed with the flag of the Royal des Vaisseaux. It was imported into the United States by Bonwit Teller and retains the label "Salon de Couture, Bonwit Teller Fifth Avenue."

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Additional information:
  • PublicationShocking! The Art and Fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli

    Schiaparelli designed a group of evening gowns and blouses for summer 1940 made from silk scarves printed with adaptations of the flags of famous French regiments, which the textile manufacturer Colcombet had made exclusively for her. Man Ray’s photograph for the March 1940 issue of Harper’s Bazaar shows an evening dress made from scarves printed with the flag of the Scottish Ogilvy regiment (established in France in 1745). This gown in Shiaparelli's new Sleeping blue is printed with the flag of the Royal des Vaisseaux. The gown was imported to the United States by Bonwit Teller. Dilys E. Blum, from Shocking! The Art and Fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli (2003), p. 240.