Coat

Designer Maximilian

Not on view

Despite its long history of use as a lining, trimming, and accessory, mink did not become fashionable as a coat until the 1950s. During that decade, mink-along with other appurtenances of wealth, such as elaborately coiffed hair, flawless makeup, and ostentatious jewelry-came to define the everlasting stereotype of the bourgeois woman. Mink came to be linked with fame, fortune, glamour, and stardom, an association that was underscored in Blackglama's award-winning advertising campaign: "What Becomes a Legend Most?" Lauren Bacall was the first star to pose for the campaign, receiving this coat by Maximilian as payment. Traditional in terms of style and construction, the mink coat's iconic status is enhanced by its identification with the actress herself.

Coat, Maximilian, fur, American

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.