Cocktail dress

Jean Dessès

ca. 1958 · 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. This black taffeta cocktail dress is a marvelous combination of the designer's draping skills with the silhouette of the late fifties. While the front of the skirt is flat, the back of the skirt has been carefully draped. Beneath the skirt, supporting the shape, are layers of tulle. Exquisitely executed, this dress is another example of the designer's sculptural masterpieces.

Artist

Jean Dessès

Date

ca. 1958

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. B. Bernard Kreisler, 1969