Evening dress
This dress with its minimal cut is the result of several iterations in muslin, in which the many original seams were eliminated one by one at each fitting. James described the pattern of the skirt as a long triangle, cut on the bias, with one seam at the center back. The graceful taper of its silhouette is created by pulling up the front waist, which also produces the pocket-like side drapes. The dress is slashed at either center shoulder line, resulting in triangular extensions that form a small halter and sleeves cut in one with the bodice.
Artwork Details
- Title: Evening dress
- Designer: Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978)
- Date: 1937
- Culture: American
- Medium: silk and rayon
- Credit Line: Purchase, Costume Institute Benefit Fund, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, and Acquisitions Fund, 2013
- Object Number: 2013.399
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
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