Evening cloak

Emile Pingat|Maison Pingat

1885–89 · silk, metal · Costume Institute

Emile Pingat had a proclivity for designing carefully finished dresses and outerwear which made him one of the top three French fashion designers during the second half of the 19th century. Active between 1860 and 1896, Pingat was adroit at manipulating multiple textiles and trimmings into a cohesive and elevated garment. He was inspired by design elements of other cultures and often reinterpreted them into his own work, making them unique and intriguing. His elaborately decorated and impeccably tailored outwear was particularly sought after. The influence Pingat drew from Chinese robes when styling this cloak is evident with the mandarin collar, wide cuffs and flat front. His combination of themes, mixing European flowers with Chinese scrolling clouds, is evidence of his ability to create couture garments encompassing many cultures.

Artist

Emile Pingat|Maison Pingat

Date

1885–89

Medium

silk, metal

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Anonymous gift, In memory of Mrs. John Roebling, 1970