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Evening dress

Designer Claire McCardell American
Manufacturer Townley Frocks American
1950
Not on view
McCardell's enthusiasm and acumen for European fashion history is well documented, but her interests extended East as well. This evening dress suggests Chinese roots in its textile, pleating, and color, but also evokes Japanese origins in its wide sash (like an obi) and columnar silhouette. In a global eclecticism, the dress is cut like a poncho with its top crisscrossed over the bodice to create the kimono–like surplice neckline.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Evening dress
  • Designer: Claire McCardell (American, 1905–1958)
  • Manufacturer: Townley Frocks (American, 1929–1938; 1940–ca. 1968)
  • Date: 1950
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: silk
  • Credit Line: Gift of Irving Drought Harris, in memory of Claire McCardell Harris, 1958
  • Object Number: C.I.58.49.4a, b
  • Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

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Evening ensemble, Claire McCardell American, linen, cotton, American
Evening ensemble
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