Browse Items (90 total)
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Jacket
Dark brown wool crepe swing jacket; Chelsea collar with multiple rows of topstitching, drop shoulder sleeves with double gusset, buttonhole opening through collar with bias tube tie closure, two tiny slash pockets, inverted pleat at center back. Multiple rows of topstitching down center front, hemline, and at back yoke. Reversible. Worn by Valentina. -
Suit
Brown wool bouclé suit. A. Cardigan jacket; jewel neckline with one button closure at center front, drop shoulder sleeves, two single welt diagonal pockets, fingertip length, unlined. Hong Kong seam finishes. B. A-line skirt; high rise waist with no band, one double welt pocket at right hip, no side seams, midcalf length. Worn by Valentina. -
Evening gown
Lavender matte silk jersey evening gown; peignoir style, V-shaped neckline, ¾ length sleeves, square-set armscye, high waistline, twisted fabric caught in side bodice and wrapped through center front slit, flare skirt, bias cut, full length, unlined. All inside seams hand-overcast, hand-rolled hem. 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. -
Blouse
Off-white silk crinkle chiffon blouse printed with a very loose, sketchy, linear print of flowers and butterflies throughout; jewel neckline, short cap sleeves are cut in one with the bodice, peek-a-boo waist with bias binding and attached bias string tie, self-fabric second layer over bustline, open at center front, waist darts. French seams and hand finishing. Worn by Valentina. -
Evening coat
Beige silk gazierre evening coat; cardigan style, convertible collar, dolman sleeves, clutch, no center front closure, unusual seaming, inseam pockets; midcalf length, lined with silk taffeta. Lustrous thread in fabric gives subtle shine. Small red stains near pockets. Worn by Valentina. -
Ensemble back without cape
Taupe silk tulle ensemble. A. Dirndl underdress with spaghetti straps, bodice of crepe backed satin with the crepe side showing. Skirt is gathered tulle over taffeta lining, midcalf length. B. Tulle overdress; surplice wrap front with hook and eye closure, long straight sleeves, gathered skirt is mid-calf length. Worn with cape (Object ID #1995.360.C) to form three piece ensemble. Worn by Valentina. -
Three piece ensemble
Taupe silk tulle ensemble. A. Dirndl underdress with spaghetti straps, bodice of crepe backed satin with the crepe side showing. Skirt is gathered tulle over taffeta lining, midcalf length. B. Tulle overdress; surplice wrap front with hook and eye closure, long straight sleeves, gathered skirt is mid-calf length. C. Rectangular shaped tulle cape slips over the head with tails hanging down the back. 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. -
Cocktail dress
Pale blue flocked organdy cocktail dress; ground is pale blue with black flocking in floral sprays throughout, diagonal darts for shaping, boned at side seams, normal waist dipping to center back, flare skirt, bias cut, tea length, center back zipper. Most of flocking has detached. Several beige colored stains on skirt. 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. -
Blouse
Black silk organza sheer windowpane blouse; jewel neckline, peek-a-boo waist, asymmetrical wrap front with hook and eye closure, straight elbow length sleeves, multiple darts for shaping, camisole-style lining of silk crepe, completely hand-overcast and double overcasting on facings and camisole. Worn by Valentina. -
Bolero
Black wool crepe bolero jacket; neck falls straight from neckline without closure, kimono square set elbow length sleeves, lined with ivory silk crepe. Worn by Valentina. -
Two piece ensemble
Blouse and skirt ensemble of black silk brocade with all over floral motif of five-petaled flowers and leaves. A. Short overblouse; jewel neckline, center front opening, slight asymmetrical wrap front with three hook and eye closures at the waist, bracelet-length dolman sleeves are cut in one with bodice, unlined with hand-overcast seams and double overcast facings. B. Skirt gathers into a straight waistband with hook and eye closures, midcalf length, unlined. All hand-overcast. Worn by Valentina.