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Ball gown

Designer Charles James American

1950–52

Not on view

This design incorporates a detail seen in late nineteenth-century dresses: The torso seems to emerge out of the folds of the skirt. In his rendering of the historicist effect, James generated a sophisticated technical solution to conform to his preference for continuous pieces of fabric that are draped, tucked, and darted to fit. The fabric is shaped and fitted over the hips of the torso to become the draped apron.

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

Ball gown, Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), silk, American

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Ball gown

Designer: Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978)

Date: 1950–52

Culture: American

Medium: silk

Credit Line: Gift of Marietta Tree, 1965

Accession Number: C.I.65.36.1

Chronology

The United States and Canada, 1900 A.D.-present

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