




Theater suit, 1951
Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978)
Copper silk satin, black wool cashmereGift of Eleanor Searle Whitney McCollum, 1975 (1975.246.5a–c)
Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978)
Copper silk satin, black wool cashmereGift of Eleanor Searle Whitney McCollum, 1975 (1975.246.5a–c)
Inspired by the fall-winter 1949 collection of Christian Dior in its zigzag of satin blades and derivation from menswear, the James theater suit is a tour de force of a cashmere face articulated by the rust-orange satin trim that curls around like an autumn leaf. In 1950 and 1951, James was exploring stiff and jutting collars in dressmaker suits and blouses, often creating the effect of a soaring modern architecture, as in this cocktail suit.







