Fancy dress costume

Paul Poiret

1911 · metal, silk, cotton · Costume Institute

Early in the twentieth century Diaghilev's Russian dance company, Ballets Russes, performed in Paris—reigniting the taste for orientalism in Europe with its exotic sets and costumes. As this ensemble illustrates, Poiret excelled in recontextualizing western dress with fantastical eastern influence. He was also a maverick modernist in creating a stir, taking promotion of his inventive ensembles to new levels with his infamous spectaculars. This fancy-dress ensemble was made for and worn to Poiret's 1002nd Night party in 1911, which was designed and organized to promote his new creations in the full splendor and glamour of the orientalist trend.

Artist

Paul Poiret

Date

1911

Medium

metal, silk, cotton

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Trust Gift, 1983