Evening ensemble

Jessie Franklin Turner

ca. 1930 · silk · Costume Institute

Jessie Franklin Turner's evening wear was celebrated for its glamorous and seductive qualities in fashion magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. This ensemble portrays that reputation, with the beautifully constructed dress and wrap. The inventive, well-thought out design shows Turner's expert craftsmanship. For example, the small detail of the celadon ribbon edging on the dress adds a pleasing, unexpected element and the cocoon cut of the wrap is accomplished using just one piece of fabric. Turner was also renowned for her textiles, many of which she designed herself. The attractive hand-dyed treatment of the wrap shows her talent for creating beautiful, yet unique, textile designs. The combination of these elements would flatter both the wearer and the design itself to the utmost.

Artist

Jessie Franklin Turner

Date

ca. 1930

Medium

silk

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of the estate of Mary Boocock Leavitt, 1974