Evening dress

Yves Saint Laurent|Yves Saint Laurent

fall/winter 1982–83 · a,b) silk · Costume Institute

Mrs. Kempner's preferred silhouette for formal evening dress was the narrow "column" gown. In addition, she subscribed to the notion of bareness as an aspect of nighttime glamour-expressed in a wide, off-the-shoulder or "bateau" design, and more typically in a plunging front or back neckline. This elegantly simple gown inverts Mrs. Kempner's usual pairing of a white bodice or shirt with a black skirt. Yves Saint Laurent's sensual juxtaposition of a black velvet bodice with the liquid drape of ivory silk crepe highlights the sharp "V" of the décolleté in a dramatic "Madame X" contrast.

Artist

Yves Saint Laurent|Yves Saint Laurent

Date

fall/winter 1982–83

Medium

a,b) silk

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Gift of Thomas L. Kempner, 2006