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EVENING ENSEMBLE (DRESS, TRAIN, HEADPIECE, AND CAPE)

Creator(s):

Currently in storage


About this object

Marjorie Merriweather Post's daughter, Eleanor Post Close (American, 1909-2007), wore this gown when she was presented to the Court of St. James's on June 12, 1928.

This gown was worn by Eleanor for her presentation at the Court of St. James's. The garment is constructed on a turqouise silk charmeuse underdress with a square cut bodice and flesh colored lingerie straps. Turqouise tulle is applied over the bodice in pleated panels from shoulders to waist. Decorative rhinestone elements at shoulder conceal a metal bar for attaching the train. Two decorative, 1-1/2" wide bands embroidered with seed pearls and rhinestones are applied to tulle at the natural waist. A tulle overskirt is attached below with seed pearl and rhinestone elements woven through the tulle. Triangular shaped pieces of tulle attached randomly throughout the skirt are accented with single rhinestones. The tulle skirt hangs 6" below the silk charmeuse underskirt at center front, and 15" below at center back. The tulle train has the same styling and rhinestone decoration. The velvet cape closes with ties in a single loop at left shoulder. One long tie hangs free, while the other, shorter tie, lays across the back neck and is secured on right shoulder. The garment is finished with a scalloped edge at hem. A heavily beaded headpiece completes the ensemble. Rhinestones, clear bugle beads, turqouise beads and pearls of varying sizes are applied to a ribbon cloth lace. A large rhinestone element is wired at center. A rope of pearls strung on wire in a scalloped pattern trims the top edge.

Object name:
EVENING ENSEMBLE (DRESS, TRAIN, HEADPIECE, AND CAPE)
Made from:
Silk charmeuse -- tulle (dress); silk velvet -- silk charmeuse (cape)
Made in:
New York, USA
Date made:
1928
Size:
H. 16 in. (shoulder to waist front) (dress); H. 17 in. (shoulder to waist back) (dress); Dia. 26 in. (waist circumference) (dress); H. 20 in. (waist to hem front) (dress); H. 21 in. (waist to hem back) (dress); Dia. 60 in. (hem circumference) (dress); H. 55 in. (center back to hem) (cape); H. 82 in. (center back to hem) (train); W. 22 in. (headpiece)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
48.63.1-4
Signature marks:
LABEL: Mme. Frances INC. / Dressmakers / 10 West 56TH STREET / New York [on underlap of skirt interior] NOTE: 1928 / Mme Barzin / 1928 [handwritten in blue ink on tissue paper]
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973