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Lucien Lelong’s work was described as modern, streamlined, fluid, youthful, and with a new word—kinetic. Inspired by dresses meant for dancing, Lelong designed less restrictive clothing for a modern woman. Compared to styles of the recent past, these dresses were incredibly risqué, showing the wearer’s legs, and sometimes their knees. This design exposes the arms and is exceptionally low cut, with merely a translucent panel of chiffon covering the décolletage. The panels of the skirt, described as being cut into petals that swayed with the wearer’s movements, a short garçonne hairstyle showing off earrings, luminous pearls, a large ring, and a jewel buckle offered a glittering effect that came to life on the body.
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Flore design drawing
Lucien Lelong (French, 1889–1958)
French
Winter 1925
Medium/Technique
Gouache on paper
Dimensions
Length x width: 25.4 x 19.1 cm (10 x 7 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf
Accession Number2013.2064
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsFashion illustration
Lucien Lelong’s work was described as modern, streamlined, fluid, youthful, and with a new word—kinetic. Inspired by dresses meant for dancing, Lelong designed less restrictive clothing for a modern woman. Compared to styles of the recent past, these dresses were incredibly risqué, showing the wearer’s legs, and sometimes their knees. This design exposes the arms and is exceptionally low cut, with merely a translucent panel of chiffon covering the décolletage. The panels of the skirt, described as being cut into petals that swayed with the wearer’s movements, a short garçonne hairstyle showing off earrings, luminous pearls, a large ring, and a jewel buckle offered a glittering effect that came to life on the body.
DescriptionFlore (flora).
ProvenanceBefore 2012, acquired by Domenique Sirop, Paris, France; 2012, sold by Sirop to Leslie Verrinder, Tin Tin Collectibles, London, England; 2012, sold by Verrinder to Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf, Chestnut Hill, MA; 2013, gift of Sharf to the MFA. (Accession date: December 18, 2013)