(a) 150.0 cm (centre back) 33.3 cm (waist, flat) (dress) (b) 66.0 × 35.0 cm (hood)
Place/s of Execution
Melbourne, Victoria
Inscription
(a) label, inside back, woven in gold metallic thread on black cotton: Jenny Bannister (b) label, inside back, woven in gold metallic thread on black cotton: Jenny Bannister
The strapless full-length evening dress in black pigskin is constructed from numerous pieces of shaped leather, glued and studded together. The front features a bodice made up with prominent breastplates constructed with concentric circles of leather, horizontal strips run across the rib cage, and from the hip, larger and more irregular shapes are used. Along the side panels, black net inserts are incorporated. The dress has plunging back and a slight train and is fully lined in black silk. The matching hood is constructed from numerous pieces of black pigskin, glued and studded together. The front has cut-outs for the eyes, the lower face section is attached with nine sets of press-studs, for removal when a half mask is required. The back is longer than the front and has tapering tail.