Evening dress

Gilbert Adrian|Pola Stout

ca. 1944 · wool · Costume Institute

In his quest to use unique textiles, ranging from luxurious satin to simple gingham, Adrian frequently incorporated those of designer Pola Stout, whose fabrics often featured blocks and stripes of color. Adrian found Stout's geometric patterns well-suited to his pieced garments where he employed a favorite technique of manipulating striped fabrics to make them serve a dual purpose, as structure and as ornament. While this dress has very little additional trimming, the pattern of the fabric has been used ingeniously to enliven the sleeves, skirt and collar, and create interest in the back drapery.

Artist

Gilbert Adrian|Pola Stout

Date

ca. 1944

Medium

wool

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 Janet Gaynor Adrian, 1963