i63477 |
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Object Description
| Type | Physical Object |
| Basic ID | Evening dress, La Sirène, circa 1941. Silk crepe, satin-backed lining. Charles James, U.S.A. Worn by donor Mrs. William O. Hunt neé Jeannette Peterkin. 1959.11 |
| Title | La Sirène |
| Other Title | Dress |
| Artists/Makers | James, Charles, 1906-1978 (designer) |
| Place of Origin | New York (N.Y.) |
| Date | circa 1941 |
| Physical Description | Dress of dark blue silk crepe, with high rounded neck, padded shoulders, and pleated short sleeves. Pin tucked panels in center front and back secures drapes flow to sides. Long zip closure at center back. Floor-length with slight train. Drapery forms a mermaid effect. |
| Materials/Techniques |
silk (fiber) crepe (textile) |
| Object History | James launched this mermaid-like gown early in his career and created several versions of it over a period of twenty years. The name of the dress, La Sirène, refers to sea creatures in Greek mythology who used their enchanting voices to lure sailors to their deaths. The soft folds cascading around the wearer's hips beautifully highlighted the silhouette of the wearer. Worn by donor Mrs. William O. Hunt neé Jeannette Peterkin. CT scan images were taken of this garment at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. |
| Curatorial Statement | This dress uses a series of hand stitched horizontal pleats down both the center front of the dress and the sleeves. Although James made it to the measurements of the client, the pleats create soft folds around the hips that allow for slight variations in the width of the wearer's hips. |
| Classification | costume (mode of fashion) |
| Categories |
clothing main garments evening dress (concept) |
| Object Types |
dresses (garments) evening dresses (garments) |
| Related Persons | Hunt, William O., Mrs. |
| Credit Line | Gift of Mrs. William O. Hunt |
| Owner | Chicago Historical Society |
| Copyright Notice | © 2014 Chicago Historical Society, all rights reserved. |
| Exhibition History |
Chic Chicago : Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum. Fashion Institute of Technology (2007/10/12 - 2008/01/05) Chic Chicago : Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum. Chicago History Museum (2008/09/27 - 2009/07/26) Charles James : Genius Deconstructed. Chicago History Museum (2011/10/22 - 2012/04/16) |
| Object Number | 1959.11 |
| Image File Name | ICHi-63477; ICHi-63480; ICHi-63478; ICHi-63482; ICHi-63483; ICHi-64971 |
| Language | English |
| Repository | Chicago History Museum. 1601 North Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60614-6038 |
| Collection Name | Museum Collection |
| Research Inquiry | http://libguides.chicagohistory.org/research |
| Licensing Inquiry | Visit https://images.chicagohistory.org or email rightsrepro@chicagohistory.org |
Description
| Basic ID | Evening dress, La Sirène, circa 1941. Silk crepe, satin-backed lining. Charles James, U.S.A. Worn by donor Mrs. William O. Hunt neé Jeannette Peterkin. 1959.11 |
| Title | i63477 |
| Copyright Notice | © 2014 Chicago Historical Society, all rights reserved. |
| Image File Name | i63477.jpg |
| Repository | Chicago History Museum. 1601 North Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60614-6038 |
| Collection Name | Museum Collection |
