Afternoon Dress

The severely tailored bodice, with narrow, three-quarter-length sleeves and deep V-neck, reaches down to the hip, where the ingeniously designed skirt begins. Here the length of fabric is transversely processed, beginning in the rear centre and is guided once loosely around the body. The plethora is thereafter gradually gathered and conceals the skirt neck with a twisted sculptural ribbon.Rigid, lattice tulle serves as a support. The separate petticoat consists of a hip-length corsage with incorporated rods and a two tier petticoat of synthetic gauze. The dress was presented in the 1955 summer collection, the first to appear after Jaques Fath’s death. This piece comes from the possession of singer, Lily Pons, who was one of the most prominent members of the Metropolitan Opera of New York from 1931-1961.