Evening dress
Monkey fur became fashionable during the mid- to late-1930s, although it tended to be the reserve of the more adventurous. At a Paris theater, the Honorable Mrs. Reginald Fellowes appeared wearing a black monkey-fur cape by Paquin. As Janet Flanner commented, "Few of the audience in the first rows looked at the stage during the first act: the star of the evening for their eyes was Mrs. Fellowes' cape."
Although the fabric and silhouette recalls the innocence and sweetness of a jeune fille dress, the use of monkey fur, strategically placed, introduces a surrealistic 'coming of age' feel.
Although the fabric and silhouette recalls the innocence and sweetness of a jeune fille dress, the use of monkey fur, strategically placed, introduces a surrealistic 'coming of age' feel.
Artwork Details
- Title: Evening dress
- Design House: House of Paquin (French, 1891–1956)
- Designer: Ana de Pombo (Spanish, 1900–1985)
- Retailer: Hattie Carnegie, Inc. (American, 1918–1965)
- Date: 1938
- Culture: French
- Medium: silk, cotton, fur
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. John Chambers Hughes, 1958
- Object Number: C.I.58.34.20a, b
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
House of Paquin
1969
House of Paquin
fall/winter 1930–31
House of Paquin
1925–29
House of Paquin
spring/summer 1945
House of Paquin
early 20th century
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.