APPLIED ART : COSTUME

Evening Dress

Zandra Rhodes (Primary maker)
Zandra Rhodes (Maker)

1987
1987

England: London
London

Evening dress of very dark green fine rayon crepe with all-over embroidery of Egyptian inspiration, mostly palmette design in gold metal tusead, turquoise and brown sik thread with cut paste, bugle, small glass beads and brown sequins. Background to design dark green chain stitch meandering design with dark green indescent sequins. Set in elbow length sleeves with scalloped edges edged with round pearlized green beads and yellow cut paste beads. Neck edged as sleeves except green beads are larger. High round neck at front dipping to deep U at back which gives draped effect. Self rayon ties with beaded ends fasten at back neck to secure dress at back. The unshaped dress long with gently scalloped hem edged as sleeve. B) Dark green silk jersey slip edged with satin is detached from dress. It is sleeveless and bears labels 'ZANDRA RHODES/LONDON; brown thread on white 'NEIMAN-MARCUS / MADE IN ENGLAND' brown thread on white and 'THIS GARMENT HAS BEEN/PRODUCED BY HAND IN / ZANDRA RHODES STUDIO / DRY CLEAN ONLY / DO NOT USE STEAM / 100% RAYON / MADE IN ENGLAND' brown printed on dark cream. Owned originally by Jean Simmons, actress. Lot 86 in sale 'Histoire de Mode - Histoire de Coeur' in aid of La Fondation pour l'Entrance at the Musee de la Mode et du Costume. Palais Galliera, Paris, on Thursday 19th November 1992. From exhibition label early 2000s: Beaded evening dress, 1987 Zandra Rhodes (1942-) Zandra Rhodes is one of the originals of late 20th century fashion. Her one-off dresses often reveal her original training as a textile designer, as can be seen here. The cut is interesting but simple, and the surface pattern, lavishly embroidered in an Egyptian-inspired design is the dominant feature. This dress was originally owned by the film star Jean Simmons.

Silk & beads

BELUM.T3581

National Museums NI