Vitaldi Babani Evening Coats
- By The Museum at FIT
- In Objects
- Tagged with 1920 coat Countess Greffulhe silk taffeta velvet Vitaldi Babani
- On 29 Nov | '2016
![Photographs © Zach Hilty/BFA.com](http://museumfit.wpenginepowered.com/prousts-muse/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2016/11/MFIT-prousts-muse-exhibition-Vitaldi-Babani-Palais-Galliera.jpg)
Photographs © Zach Hilty/BFA.com
Left: The Countess Greffulhe was a pioneering fundraiser for the arts and a great supporter of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Leon Bakst’s brilliantly colored dance costumes and sets inspired both fashion and interior design. The Countess’s flowing robes and coats by Babani and Fortuny created a similarly exotic effect.
Vitaldi Babani
Coat, circa 1920
Printed and embroidered silk chiffon
GAL1964.20.18, gift of the Gramont family to the Palais Galliera
Vitaldi Babani
Coat, circa 1920
Printed and embroidered silk chiffon
GAL1964.20.18, gift of the Gramont family to the Palais Galliera
Right: After her daughter grew up, the Countess Greffulhe stopped wearing pink, which was associated with youth. However, she continued to wear green. The Japonism for which Babani was famous is exemplified by this green velvet evening coat with a kimono-like silhouette.
Vitaldi Babani
Evening coat, circa 1920
Silver lamé, black silk, emerald green velvet, black taffeta
GAL1964.20.16, gift of the Gramont family to the Palais Galliera
Proust’s Muse, The Countess Greffulhe runs through January 7, 2016 at The Museum at FIT in NYC.