Evening dress

Lars Nilsson|Bill Blass Ltd.

2002 · silk,glass · Costume Institute

Lars Nilsson has created an overall Hellenic effect in his design's conjunction of nudity, simplicity, drapery, and, most importantly, a girdled waist, here marked by dark bugle beaded bands. The classical midriff is interpreted in a way that introduces an element of contemporaneity to the venerable form. In Nilsson's design, the beaded bands do not meet at center front, terminating instead in skewed, sharply angled ends. This unpredictable detail adds a provocative deconstructivist quality to the gown of otherwise old-school suavity.

Artist

Lars Nilsson|Bill Blass Ltd.

Date

2002

Medium

silk,glass

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Gift of Bill Blass, Ltd., 2003