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Tunic

Tunic
 1922

Medium
silk (crêpe de chine, thread), metal, glass (beads)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2023
Reproduction requests
Gallery location
Mid 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
 

About this work

Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel was known for functional simplicity and elegant designs, including her famous little black dress of 1926, featuring an effortlessly chic straight, calf-length silhouette. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, many members of the Russian aristocracy fled to France, including the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, who befriended Chanel. The duchess offered her embroidery skills to Chanel, leading to the establishment of Pavlovna’s embroidery company Kitmir, which employed Russian exiles. Cornely and Russian folk embroidery were at the height of their popularity in 1922, and two years later Kitmir expanded its fashion house clientele. There are only two known lasting examples of Chanel’s ‘Russian’ tunics, of which this is one.

Artwork Details

Medium
silk (crêpe de chine, thread), metal, glass (beads)
Measurements
74.5 cm (centre back) 34.5 cm (sleeve length)
Place/s of Execution
France
Accession Number
2023.709
Department
International Fashion and Textiles
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2023
Reproduction requests
Gallery location
Mid 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery
Level 2, NGV International

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