Emile Pingat had a proclivity for designing carefully finished dresses and outerwear which made him one of the top three French fashion designers during the second half of the 19th century. Active between 1860 and 1896, Pingat was adroit at manipulating multiple textiles and trimmings into a cohesive and elevated garment. He was inspired by design elements of other cultures and often reinterpreted them into his own work, making them unique and intriguing. His elaborately decorated and impeccably tailored outwear was particularly sought after.Pingat's interpretation of Plains Indian motifs on this cape is indicative of his fascination with incorporating other cultures' designs into the contemporary couture vocabulary. This style of embroidery pattern, although distinctive amongst other late 19th-century European designs, is iconic of Pingat's work.
