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This all white evening dress is marked by having a delicate surface that almost seems like it could crumble away, made by cord embroidery techniques. According to the fashion house, the dress took a total of 120 hours to make. Of that, 50 hours was spent on the embroidery of the overdress by the world famous embroidery atelier Lesage. Incorporating new sensitivity while using traditional techniques, this is an item of rare beauty produced by a craftsman's handwork.
Haute couture houses used to focus predominantly on tailoring and dressmaking, with traditional craftsmanship such as embroidery being fostered by ateliers specializing in particular skills. However the number of such specialist artisans has decreased, bringing fears that their skills may not be passed along. To inherit them, Chanel has taken many long-established workshops under its wing. Lesage became part of Chanel group in 2002.

Details

  • Title: Dress
  • Creator: Karl Lagerfeld
  • Fashion House: 86. atelier Madame Christiane (Atelier name in handwriting)
  • Label: 86. atelier Madame Christiane (Atelier name in handwriting)
  • Manufacturer: Chanel
  • Date Created: Spring/Summer 1997
  • Season: Spring / Summer 1997
  • Type: Dress
  • Photographer: ©The Kyoto Costume Institute, photo by Takashi Hatakeyama
  • Rights: Collection of The Kyoto Costume Institute, gift of CHANEL
  • Medium: White cotton cord embroidery on silk tulle; pleated white silk chiffon underdress.

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