Advanced Search 
Woman's dress
Designed by: Pierre Cardin (French, 1922 – 2020)
French
about 1969
Medium/Technique
Wool plain weave (crepe)
Dimensions
Center back: 85.1 cm (33 1/2 in.)
Center front: 81.3 cm (32 in.)
Other (empire waist): 80.6 cm (31 3/4 in.)
Center front: 81.3 cm (32 in.)
Other (empire waist): 80.6 cm (31 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase with funds donated by the Fashion Council, Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Accession Number2007.41
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Contemporary Art, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
The 1960s were arguably the most prolific and inventive period of Pierre Cardin's career. He took inspiration from the Op Art movement and space travel and blurred the lines between couture and ready-to-wear. In 1969 and 1970, he designed a series of garments and accessories around the idea of parallel strips of fabric. Here, heavy black wool strips are twisted and looped to form textured, sculptural fringes. As the wearer moves and twirls, the motion of the loops recalls that of the fabric strips used in car washes.
DescriptionBlack wool crepe sleeveless mini dress with doubled self bands looped all around from empire bodice yoke to skirt hem. Labeled: "Pierre Cardin/Paris/New York."
ProvenancePurchased by MFA from Doyle New York January 24, 2007.
CopyrightReproduced with permission.