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Hattie Carnegie|Jean Dessès

ca. 1955 · wool, silk · Costume Institute

Jean Dessés originally travelled to Paris from Egypt to study law and diplomacy; however, he soon discovered that his true passion was designing. He opened his own couture house in Paris in 1937 and became known for his characteristic twists and gathers which he magically executed on a variety of fabrics. Considered his best work are his evening dresses of chiffon, which have the appearance of classical sculpture. He favored ombré fabrics and colors other than black, such as Wedgwood blue, old rose, taupe, eggplant, green, brown, pale grays, faint pinks, and whites. The treatment of the jacket and the dress, which create this ensemble, has been precisely executed down to the finest detail. The flattering fit of the jacket and cut of the sleeves is enhanced by the lining, which harmoniously matches the dress. The plaid silk taffeta dress is perfect for the period, with the inclusion of the tie collar, cap sleeves and full pleated skirt.

Artist

Hattie Carnegie|Jean Dessès

Date

ca. 1955

Medium

wool, silk

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. R. L. Gilpatric, 1960