Ensemble

Valentina

ca. 1942 · wool · Costume Institute

During the 1940s, women's suits were often fitted with shoulder pads to provide interest and excitement to clothing that was affected by war time rationing. Valentina employed that method with this suit, and also utilizes color blocking with similar shades to create an overall refined and interesting effect. The turban-like hat is another signature of the dramatic, exotic Valentina, who sometimes wore a turban herself.

Artist

Valentina

Date

ca. 1942

Medium

wool

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of the estate of Mary Boocock Leavitt, 1974