EVENING DRESS

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

Currently in storage

About this object

This two piece gray satin evening gown was certainly a custom made, one of a kind creation that was draped and fitted directly on the wearer. The asymmetrically designed bodice closes in a straight line down the center front with a row of hooks and eyes at the top continued to the waist seam with a small metal zipper. The short, strapless bodice is fitted to the body with bust darts beginning at the center front seam. A pleated satin overlay conceals the darts on the right side and wraps around to the back bodice, concealing the skirt's waistband. The top edge of the bodice has an applied cuff beginning at the left side, continuing across the front, and turning with three pleats to become the right shoulder strap. The cuff continues across the back of the bodice and around to the left side front. The left shoulder strap is created by a pleated lavender band that begins at the right side back and continues across the shoulder where it is twisted and attached to the bodice at the right side edge. The pleated band continues diagonally across the bust and around to the back where it attaches to the skirt at right side waist beneath a large lavender bow. The interior bodice is lined with a cotton-silk shell that is darted at both front and back to shape the garment. A cotton-silk peplum is tucked into the skirt to hold the garment in place. The satin, full circle skirt is lined with a layer of cream faille taffeta and a layer of net bound together at the waist and hem. Deep inverted pleats are placed at the center front and on each side. The skirt has a 1-1/4" wide waistband and closes at the right side back with a metal zipper. A decorative, triangular inset is placed at the center back waist. Two long lavender ties hang from the bow at back.

Object name:

EVENING DRESS

Made from:

Satin -- taffeta faille

Made in:

New York, USA

Date made:

1947-1948

Size:

H. 17 in. (shoulder to waist front); H. 16 in. (shoulder to waist back); Dia. 28 in. (waist circumference); H. 41 1/2 in. (waist to hem front); H. 44 in. (waist to hem back); Dia. 380 in. (hem circumference)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

48.101.1-2

Signature marks:

LABEL: Salon de Couture / BONWIT / FIFTH AVENUE / TELLER [in side seam] LABEL: MrsJosephEDavies [in side seam next to maker label, machine embroidered in script with navy blue thread]

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973