APPLIED ART : COSTUME
- Object Name
- dress
- Maker
-
Connolly, Sybil (Primary maker)
Connolly, Sybil (Maker) - Date Made
-
1956
1956 - Description
- Full length sleeveless evening dress of royal blue satin sweetheart neckline, metal zip on left side bodic seam. Princess line front and back with centre panel extending from neck to hem. In skirt, the panel falls into a box pleat. Bodice is fitted to waist and the fullness of the skirt comes from side pleats extending from dropped waistline at hips. Bodice unlined, skirt lined with thick dark grey felt-like stiffening. Tape sewn inside at waist has typed lettering 'MAID OF HONOUR' (name of model). Worn by donor at dinner with Donald Davies at Chareville, on a trip to bring back a collection of Sybil Connolly for the front window display of Lord and Taylor, for whom the donor was a fashion buyer. Donated by Mrs Virginia Jimmie Booth of Brooklyn Label text: Sybil Connolly is one of Ireland's most famous couturieres. She grew up in Waterford and her fashion designs alway s incorporated Irish materials such as linen, tweed and crochet lace. Connollyy developed a technique of pleating linen in horizontal rows, which created a beautiful structured shape. These designs found great popularity in America with actresses and socialites. Jacqueline Kennedy wore one of the pleated linen dresses, in white, for her official White House portrait. From exhibition label early 2000s: Satin evening dress, late 1950s Sybil Connolly (1921-1998) We have put this dress on show rather than the better known pleasted linen dresses, because its flattering clever cut and strong rich colour fit in with the display of 1950s fashion which focuses on the manuipulation and experimentation with cut and shape.
- Materials
- Satin
- Catalogue Number
- BELUM.T4143
- Copyright
- National Museums NI
National Museums NI holds over a million objects in the collection, as well as this we manage the records and associated images for each object through a working database. The national collection has been almost 200 years in the making, and we recognise that thinking about collecting and collections has evolved over this time and continues to evolve. As a result, some of our records may contain language and views that we now consider offensive and unacceptable, for example, reflecting racist attitudes. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to reviewing and updating our records accordingly. Working with researchers, communities and academic partners we are learning more about the stories behind objects, and we are committed to sharing these with our audiences. We welcome feedback. Please email [email protected]