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Left: The
fabric used for this dress was inspired by the colorful floral
patterns of Indian printed cottons. To preserve the rhythm of
the print, Mainbocher used intricate seaming and appliqués to
match the floral pattern wherever possible. The hem flounce
produces a vibrant flourish of color when the wearer moves.
Middle: The man’s dressing gown evolved from the banyan, an 18th-century robe that originated in India. While the contrasting collar and cuffs evoke the formality of a tuxedo, the patterned silk and tassel sash recall the dressing gown’s exotic roots. In the 1930s, dressing gowns were considered elegant at-home wear for fashion savvy men. Right: The 1931 Paris Exposition promoted a coloniale moderne style that greatly influenced fashion, as in the color, shape, and embellishment of this evening jacket, reflecting a diffused Southeast Asian inspiration. Lanvin used machine-stitched quilting to create a surface decoration that is both modern and exotic. 
November 27, 2007 -
May 7, 2008 Website designed by Tamsen Schwartzman
Left: Mainbocher,
evening dress, multicolor silk, 1937, USA-France, 74.115.3, gift
of Ms. Yeffe Kimball Slatin
Middle: Charvet, man’s dressing gown, yellow silk brocade, c.1930, France, P89.4.1, museum purchase Right: Jeanne Lanvin, evening jacket, yellow silk satin, silver lamé, and wool, c.1936, France, 74.36.17, gift of Mrs. Kathryn Colton, photograph by Irving Solero
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