Woman's Cocktail Dress

Currently not on view

Woman's Cocktail Dress

Winter 1958

Designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga (Spanish (active Spain and France), 1895–1972) Worn by Mrs. Thomas Charlton Henry (Julia Rush Biddle) (American, 1886–1978)

Cristóbal Balenciaga’s "baby-doll" dresses of 1957 and 1958 illustrate his experiments with abstraction and exaggeration of form. A see-through lace dress swings from the shoulders, revealing a slim sheath beneath. The loose overdress, slightly shorter in front, is held away from the body by deep, layered ruffles around the bottom. To ensure the ruffles spring outward, they are tightly gathered and supported underneath by stiff gathered net and openwork bands of nylon horsehair.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Titles:

Woman's Cocktail Dress

Date:

Winter 1958

Artists:

Designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga (Spanish (active Spain and France), 1895–1972) Worn by Mrs. Thomas Charlton Henry (Julia Rush Biddle) (American, 1886–1978)

Medium:

Silk machine-made lace over silk chiffon and silk plain weave, rayon satin ribbon

Dimensions:

Center Back Length: 39 inches (99.1 cm)

Classification:

Costume (including accessories)

Credit Line:

Gift of Mrs. T. Charlton Henry, 1975

Accession Number:

1975-100-2

Geography:

Made in Paris, France, Europe

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Currently not on view