Ensemble

Yves Saint Laurent|Yves Saint Laurent

fall/winter 2001–2 · a) silk, pearl; b) silk, leather, metal, crystal; c) cotton, coral, crystal, metal, leather; d) silk; e) metal, pearl, crystal, glass, coral, rhinestones · Costume Institute

For the formal dinner gala held to celebrate her fiftieth wedding anniversary, Mrs. Kempner selected a white satin column by her favorite designer. As "I'm spoiled when it comes to clothes," she is quoted as saying in W for November 17, 1972. "I love comfort, great fit, simplicity, and things well made." This gown in heavy and lustrous satin epitomizes the Kempner style. It has the ease of a shirtwaist dress, its wrapped closure anchored by a large pearl button. Playing on imagery of the sea inspired by this detail, Mrs. Kempner accessorized with an evening clutch embellished with coral branches.

Artist

Yves Saint Laurent|Yves Saint Laurent

Date

fall/winter 2001–2

Medium

a) silk, pearl; b) silk, leather, metal, crystal; c) cotton, coral, crystal, metal, leather; d) silk; e) metal, pearl, crystal, glass, coral, rhinestones

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Gift of Thomas L. Kempner, 2006