Evening dress
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.Designs by the French house Madeleine & Madeleine are distinguished by sumptuous fabrics and rich embroidery, as seen in this evening dress. The gown’s primary motif of ibises, along with its center pleating and girdle of imitation stones, reflects the heightened influence of ancient Egypt on fashion following the discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
Although Madeleine & Madeleine enjoyed success among both European and American clients in the early 1920s, its existence was short lived, making extant designs exceedingly rare. This example, an early acquisition made by Schreier in the 1960s, will be the first in the Met collection.
Although Madeleine & Madeleine enjoyed success among both European and American clients in the early 1920s, its existence was short lived, making extant designs exceedingly rare. This example, an early acquisition made by Schreier in the 1960s, will be the first in the Met collection.
Artwork Details
- Title: Evening dress
- Design House: Madeleine & Madeleine (French, 1919–1924/26)
- Designer: Madeleine Lepeyre (French)
- Designer: Madame Madeleine (French)
- Date: ca. 1923
- Culture: French
- Medium: silk, cotton, metal, synthetic
- Credit Line: Promised Gift of Sandy Schreier
- Object Number: L.2018.61.45
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute