Browse Items (438 total)
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Geoffrey Beene evening gown
Black cotton jersey evening gown; high jewel neckline, long sleeves, one fastener at top of back, back tapers open and bare down to hips, beige triangular chiffon inserts over the back hips, ankle length.
This item is from Fall/Winter 1989-1990. -
Richard Tyler ensemble without coat
Black tulle ensemble. A. Striped black tulle blouse, tulle has alternating thick and thin stripe of velvet; Blouse cut on the bias with an asymmetrical hem; sleeveless; Hip length; Unlined. C. Striped black tulle skirt cut on bias; Below knee length; Side zipper closure; Unlined.
Worn with coat (Object ID #2011.12.01.B) to form three piece ensemble. -
Richard Tyler ensemble
Black tulle ensemble. A. Striped black tulle blouse; tulle has alternating thick and thin velvet stripe, bias cut with asymmetrical hem, sleeveless, hip length, unlined. B. Black silk ottoman evening coat; Mandarin collar, darts at neck front, hook closure at neck, sleeveless, back has modified princess seams, ankle length, unlined. C. Striped black tulle skirt; bias cut, below knee length, side zipper closure, unlined. -
Evening gown
Monastic style black silk velvet evening gown; jewel neckline edged with black cording, long dolman sleeves, empire waist, cording runs through thread carriers at waistline, extended with shirring at wrist, A-line skirt, full evening length. Hand over-cast & hand finished. Lots of small tears throughout, some of which have been patched or mended. Worn by Valentina. -
Skirt
Black silk satin wrap-around over-skirt; worn with the opening at center front, does not completely close. Extended ties fasten at center front, bustle-like effect at center back with pleated and weighted material, Made from one continuous piece of fabric, full length. Design was still in progress. Possibly worn over pink taffeta skirt (Object ID #2008.01.44). Worn by Valentina. -
Dress
Black silk chiffon fit and flare cocktail dress; band collar with attached tie that pleats into the neckline, underlined with silk crepe. Bodice has halter effect, very bare in back. Dolman sleeves, bias ties stitched down at back waistline, then released. Natural waist dips at center back, gathered skirt, knee length, underlined with silk crepe. Worn by Valentina. -
Overdress and underdress
Black silk tulle surplice wrap overdress; jewel neckline, straight long sleeves, hook and eye closure at left side front. Gathered skirt with stabilized waistband, mid-calf length. Finished with tiny machine-sewn French seams. Worn over underdress (Object ID #1995.331). Worn by Valentina. -
Dress
Black silk tulle surplice wrap dress; v-shaped neckline, straight bracelet-length sleeves cut on the bias, natural waist seam, five button/loop closures at left side front of surplice wrap (two buttons missing), full length bell skirt. Finished with tiny machined French seams. Worn by Valentina. -
Evening coat
Black silk taffeta evening coat; A-line trapeze shape, jewel neckline, tucks off of neckline; one button and bound buttonhole closure at center front neck, short batwing sleeves with tucks, A-line skirt with deep pleats at underarm side seams, hidden pockets, tea length, appears to have been re-lined. Worn by Valentina. -
Skirt
Black wool crepe skirt; inverted pleats to either side of center front, no side seams, diagonal darts at side fronts with inseam style pockets, center back zipper, split at center front waistband, hand finished. Worn by Valentina. -
Cocktail dress
Black silk brocade cocktail dress; black floral damask of rose bouquets in twill. Sheath-style sleeveless dress; bateau neckline with deep center front slit. Bodice shaped with both vertical and horizontal darting, deep plunging V-back, center back zipper closure with a fabric loop over the top of the zipper, unlined. Worn by Valentina.
From Valentina's wardrobe but does not have the hand finishing of her couture house. -
Skirt
Black wool crepe flared skirt; cut on bias, high waisted with small ‘v’ cut out at center front, two large buttons on placket for center front closure with inverted pleat at center front, waistline faced with silk crepe, tea length, completely hand over-cast and finished. Worn by Valentina. -
Stole
Royal blue silk shantung stole with flocked black linear daisy pattern; Pelerine type; shaped triangle with black silk taffeta linging used as binding; double snap closure. Possibly not designed by Valentina due to different construction techniques. Worn by Valentina. -
Evening gown
Black silk faille strapless evening gown; two turned-back triangular pieces above bust have hand-appliquéd velvet leaves, natural waist with horizontal and vertical seaming, darts and boning in bodice, full-length flared skirt has in-seam side front pockets. Completely hand-overcast and finished. Worn with black faille bolero. Worn by Valentina. -
Evening coat
Black silk satin cardigan evening coat with large cut velvet flower design; neck built up, no front closure, single welt inseam pockets, straight short sleeves, flange down center back, underlined with silk organza, completely hand-overcast and finished. Worn by Valentina. Possibly 1940s fabric re-made into a coat. -
Evening capelet
Black silk brocade and velvet pelerine evening capelet; floral jacquard with clipped velvet design accented with jet beads. Lined with silk velvet, forms deep front facings. Edge between jacquard and velvet beaded with sequins and jet caviar beads on netting.
Antique Spanish capelet or shawl often worn by Valentina to complement her own garments. Likely served as an inspiration for wraps and shawls she designed.
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Bolero
Black silk ottoman bolero jacket; jewel neckline with hook and eye closure, slightly asymmetrical center front with hook and eye closure, dolman sleeves, bracelet length. Cut from one piece of cloth; only seams are underarm, shoulder dart, and vertical bust dart. Completely hand overcast; facings are double overcast. Worn by Valentina.