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Woman's Evening Coat

Winter 1935-1936
Designed by Elsa Schiaparelli (French (born Italy), 1890–1973)
Adept at defying conventions, Elsa Schiaparelli created this feminine evening coat by drawing inspiration from an unexpected source: a man’s military uniform coat. The impeccably tailored, floor-length coat uses thick wool twill similar to the cloth used for British Horse Guards’ uniforms. The designer, known for her eccentric wit and whimsy, offsets the severity of the regimentally correct silhouette with gold buttons shaped like snails, an example of her distinctive, specially made closures.

Object Details

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