-
Social Sharing
Evening gown
1947 Haute Couture
Not on view
Pierre Balmain was among a group of Parisian
couturiers, including Christian Dior and
Jacques Fath, whose boldly feminine and
opulent garments revitalized French fashion in
the aftermath of World War II (1939–1945). This
gown is composed of more than thirty yards
of white net, lavishly accented by embroidered
sequins and loops of silver dewdrop pearls.
Balmain drew its design—exclusively for Lillian
Schuman, philanthropist and cofounder of the
Lilli Ann clothing company—on a tablecloth
during a visit to San Francisco. Balmain’s visit
corresponded with local manufacturers’ efforts
to forge ties with the French fashion industry,
which in 1947 culminated in trade agreements
giving San Francisco designers and retailers
exclusive access to French haute couture.
- Designer
- Pierre Balmain
- House of
- Balmain
- Title
- Evening gown
- Date
- 1947 Haute Couture
- Place of Creation
- Paris
- Object Type
- Costume
- Medium
- Silk tulle, plastic beads, and metal sequins
- Credit Line
- Gift of Lillian B. Schuman
- Accession Number
- 1986.106.1
