Textile piece
This object is from a collection of sample embroideries, which was originally owned by Morris de Camp Crawford, editor of Women's Wear Daily, who collected objects which told the story of fashion and fabric history. Included in this collection was a group of textiles which illustrated what American and French designers and manufacturers were using. According to Crawford's book The Ways of Fashion, the work of Polish artist Sarah Lipska (1882-1973) was represented in this collection. Lipska is an enigmatic figure, who is known to have worked with Leon Bakst as a set and costume designer for the Ballets Russes, and later in the 1920s as a fashion designer in Paris at 4 rue Belloni, and finally as a sculptor. Extant examples of her work are rare. Although only a few pieces in the Brooklyn Museum collection bear a label or a signature, others bear hallmarks of her work, such as a distinctive form of whip stitching on appliqué work, unusual abstract motifs, and Cubist-inspired patterns.
This unfinished dress clearly shows the process of designing embroidery for a specific dress. The seams and basting stitches which outline the silhouette were done first. Then the embroidery was applied over the seams and basting stitches, maximizing the effect of the embroidery and allowing the design to be fully represented. The embroidery design itself is subtle and sophisticated. Lipska, the probable designer of this piece, chose to use wool thread in a slightly variant shade of cream than the ground fabric, creating a chic textured effect against the sheen of the crepe-back satin.
This unfinished dress clearly shows the process of designing embroidery for a specific dress. The seams and basting stitches which outline the silhouette were done first. Then the embroidery was applied over the seams and basting stitches, maximizing the effect of the embroidery and allowing the design to be fully represented. The embroidery design itself is subtle and sophisticated. Lipska, the probable designer of this piece, chose to use wool thread in a slightly variant shade of cream than the ground fabric, creating a chic textured effect against the sheen of the crepe-back satin.
Artwork Details
- Title: Textile piece
- Designer: Sarah Lipska (Polish, 1882–1973)
- Date: 1925–29
- Culture: French
- Medium: silk, wool
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Adelaide Goan, 1955
- Object Number: 2009.300.3555
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Sarah Lipska
1920–29
Sarah Lipska
1920–29
Sarah Lipska
1922
Sarah Lipska
1920–29
Sarah Lipska
1920–29
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.