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Spirit of Herbarium (Essence d’Herbier)

Spirit of Herbarium (Essence d’Herbier)
 2017 {spring-summer}

Medium
silk (organza), nylon (tulle), embroidery, raffia. metal (spangles)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
David Richards Bequest and NGV Supporters of Fashion and Textiles, 2018
© Christian Dior Couture
Reproduction requests
Gallery location
Not on display
 

About this work

The design for this raffia cocktail dress was inspired by a sample produced by French embroidery house Rébé for Christian Dior in the 1950s. It was first sent to the embroidery atelier Safrane Cortambert as ten individual organza panels: seven for the bodice and three for the skirt. Stretched over a frame, the panels were then worked on by up to seven needleworkers, beginning with the floral sprays, followed by the surrounding raffia and finished with the beadwork. Requiring over a month and several thousand hours to complete, the embroidered panels were then returned to the atelier for fitting, shaping and assembly.

Artwork Details

Medium
silk (organza), nylon (tulle), embroidery, raffia. metal (spangles)
Measurements
(a) 105.0cm (centre back) 30.0 cm (waist, flat) (dress)
(b) 68.5 cm (centre back) 30.0 cm (waist, flat) (underskirt)
Place/s of Execution
Paris, France
Inscription
(a) label, woven in black on white polyester: CHRISTIAN DIOR / HAUTE COUTURE/PARIS
label, printed in ink on white polyester: 100% soie / Doublure / 100% soie and on reverse PE 2017 / 36960
Accession Number
2017.457.a-b
Department
International Fashion and Textiles
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
David Richards Bequest and NGV Supporters of Fashion and Textiles, 2018
© Christian Dior Couture
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest
Reproduction requests
Gallery location
Not on display

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