Ensemble

First established in the 1890s by the four Callot sisters as a lingerie and lace business, Callot Soeurs evolved into a premier dressmaking house in the early years of the 20th century. The garments from Callot Soeurs in the Brooklyn Museum collections incorporate the signature elements of the house: antique lace trimming, unusual textiles, lavish embroidery that includes bead- or ribbonwork, or a combination of these elements. In this example, the pairing of lace insertions and whitework embroidery recalls European regional or folkloric costumes. The designs and ornaments of Callot garments often draw on multi-cultural sources, but always in a subtle manner adapted for a fashionable Parisian clientele. Madame Gerber, the eldest Callot sister, served as the primary designer for the house until 1927 when her sons took over the business.