Dress
1987 {spring-summer}
Medium
silk and elastane blend, nylon and elastane blend, plastic, metal
Measurements
74.9 cm (centre back) 31.7 cm (waist, flat)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased NGV Foundation, 2006
© Jean Paul Gaultier
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
Since 1983, Jean Paul Gaultier has drawn extensively from the history of corsetry to form the most definitive interpretations of the ‘underwear as outerwear’ trend. Dress, 1987, with its stretch panels and circular-stitched, coneshaped cups referencing 1940s and 1950s foundation garments, quickly became a modern classic. This influential work was a precursor to later versions that Gaultier designed for Madonna to wear on her Blonde Ambition tour in 1990.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Italy
Inscription
label, inside centre back neckline, woven (vertically) in black on white acetate: DRY CLEANING ONLY
woven in black on white acetate: R (in a circle) Jean Paul / GAULTIER / pour GIBO
woven (vertically) in black on white acetate: MADE IN ITALY
Accession Number
2006.490
Department
International Fashion and Textiles
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest
Physical description
Black corset dress with circular stitched conical bras top, satin panel through front and nylon and elastine panels at sides. Dress fastens with zip through front.