Evening coat

Jacques Doucet

fall/winter 1902 · wool, fur, silk · Costume Institute

Jacques Doucet was first, and foremost, a connoisseur of art. Additionally, his passion for the refined and exquisite overflowed into his dealings with fashion, making him one of the finest French couturiers during the Belle Époque. The House of Doucet began as a family business, specializing in women's lingerie and laces, as well as articles of clothing for men. Founded in 1817, the company rose to fame under the hand of Jacques. The house was known for its luxurious offerings, which were worn and coveted by royalty, members of the elite society in both Europe and America, and actresses of the stage. This evening coat is a fine expression of the Belle Époque aesthetic of luxurious surface embellishment. The combination of fabrics, chiffon, velvet, eyelet and mink, represent the opulent taste of the period. The silhouette of the cape and the beautifully shaped sleeves would only adorn one of Doucet's finest clients.

Artist

Jacques Doucet

Date

fall/winter 1902

Medium

wool, fur, 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. Robert G. Olmsted and Constable MacCracken, 1969