label, inside proper left front, woven in black and red on white: JEANNE LANVIN / PARIS label, inside proper left front, woven in black on white: Castillo label, inside proper left front, woven in red on white: MADE IN FRANCE
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Presented through The Art Foundation of Victoria from the wardrobe of Mrs Mavis Powell by her daughter Mrs Angela Wood, Member, 2000
The cocktail dress in black silk taffeta has wide shoulder straps supporting a bodice which consists of a corset with metal 'boning' and an outer layer of black silk, gathering into a ruffle which sits away from the body. A matching silk cummerbund has rows of horizontal folds, is secured at the waist with metal hook and loop fasteners and decorated with a single pink silk rose. The full skirt gathers into the waist forming a balloon shape, edged with a deep fringe of black lace. The skirt is supported by three black tulle petticoats.