Woman's evening dress

French (Paris)

Autumn/Winter 1963–64

Object Place: Paris, France

Medium/Technique Dress: Wool boucle, knit; silk plain weave (crepe); silk plain weave; synthetic(?) plain weave; mink; metal snaps and hook and eyes.
Slip: Wool bouclé, knit; silk plain weave; metal snaps; plastic zipper and boning

Dimensions Center front (dress): 146 cm (57 1/2 in.)
Center back (dress): 122 cm (48 1/16 in.)
Center back (slip): 117 cm (46 1/16 in.)

Credit Line Harriet Otis Cruft Fund

Accession Number2010.532.1-2

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsEurope, Contemporary Art, Fashion and Textiles

ClassificationsCostumes

DescriptionWoman's black wool bouclé long-sleeved evening gown with low plunging back and fur trim around neck and leading down back seam to the floor. Low v-shaped back terminates in mink bow just below waist. Bottom hem is reinforced at interior with a strip of black silk plain weave and patches of black silk crepe pad the interior shoulders. Sleeves are lined in silk plain weave. Interior of mink bow is faced with what appears to be a synthetic plain weave. Remnants of red legion d'honneur pin on front bust. Weighted in center front hem.

Black silk slip with thin nude-colored straps and shield-shaped patch of same wool bouclé as dress that acts as modesty panel at back. Closes at left proper side with black plastic zipper, boned along one edge for stiffness. Unlabelled.

Signed Labeled at front neck: "BALENCIAGA / 10. AVENUE GEORGE V. PARIS" Stamped in purple on the bolduc on reverse: 88863.

Provenance1963, purchased by Fern Bedaux (nee Lombard, 1890-1972), Paris and Monts, Indre-et-Loire, France from Balenciaga, Paris; by descent within family. By 2010, Beverley Birks, New York City; June 8, 2010, Beverley Birks sale, Kerry Taylor Auctions, London, lot 139, to the MFA (Accession date: June 16, 2010)