Evening dress

Raoul Lafontan

1900–1903 · silk · Costume Institute

While little is known about the designer of this dress, Raoul Lafontan, the spectacular manipulation of the fabric on view in this example is a testament to his skill and creativity. The pleating of the striped textile to create the skirt of the dress produced an outstanding visual effect of ribbons applied to the surface of the skirt. This pleating technique would have required much time and labor to accomplish. The same treatment at the back of the dress, combined with the shirred chiffon, gives drama whether the gown is seen from the front or the back. These details and the overall quality of the construction of the dress indicate Lafontan was a talented French couturier, however enigmatic.

Artist

Raoul Lafontan

Date

1900–1903

Medium

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. Frederick H. Prince, Jr., 1967