i64265 |
Previous | 1 of 6 | Next |
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
|
Loading content ...
Object Description
| Basic ID | Tunic suit, Pagoda, 1955. Wool, silk taffeta. Charles James, U.S.A. Worn by donor Mrs. Albert H. Newman née Muriel Kallis. 1978.145.1a-b |
| Artists/Makers | James, Charles, 1906-1978 (designer) |
| Title | Pagoda |
| Other Title | Tunic suit |
| Place of Origin | United States |
| Date | 1955 |
| Description | Ensemble of dark purple wool and taffeta. Jacket (a) has notched collar. Deep V-shaped seams in front; three-button closure. Long inset sleeves. Skirt (b) is flared, with inverted V-shaped front panel. Falls to mid-calf. Two back hemline kick pleats. |
| Materials/Techniques |
wool (hair) silk (fiber) taffeta |
| Marks | Bramson/OAK PARK EVANSTON CHICAGO PALM BEACH; an original design/ by/ Charles James |
| Object History | In James's ranking of his top four creations, the Pagoda came in at number four for its emphasis on the "fine art of tailoring." Originally designed in 1954, Harper's Bazaar featured the suit in its July 1955 issue, the same year it was purchased by Mrs. Newman. Alterations to the side seams show that the circumference of the skirt was taken in for a tighter fit. |
| Curatorial Statement | James considered the probability of alterations when designing ready-to-wear pieces. The tailoring of the Pagoda is both decorative and functional, allowing the wearer to obtain a custom fit by altering a few or all of the existing seams. |
| Subjects | Newman, Muriel Kallis Steinberg, 1914-2008 |
| Object Types |
ensembles (costume) jackets (garments) skirts (garments) suits (main garments) |
| Classification | costume (mode of fashion) |
| Categories |
clothing main garments |
| Credit Line | Gift of Mrs. Albert H. Newman |
| Owner | Chicago Historical Society |
| Exhibition History | Charles James: Genius Deconstructed. Chicago History Museum (2011/10/22 - 2012/04/16) |
| Object Number | 1978.145.1a-b |
| Image File Name | i64265.jpg; index.cpd |
| Rights | All rights reserved. Contact Chicago History Museum, Rights & Reproductions (rightsrepro@chicagohistory.org) for use. |
| Collection Name | Costume and Textile Collection |
| Repository | Chicago History Museum. 1601 North Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60614-6038 |
Additional Information
| Basic ID | Tunic suit, Pagoda, 1955. Wool, silk taffeta. Charles James, U.S.A. Worn by donor Mrs. Albert H. Newman née Muriel Kallis. 1978.145.1a-b |
| Title | i64265 |
| Rights | All rights reserved. Contact Chicago History Museum, Rights & Reproductions (rightsrepro@chicagohistory.org) for use. |
| Collection Name | Costume and Textile Collection |
| Repository | Chicago History Museum. 1601 North Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60614-6038 |
