» Women Between the Wars

Women Between the Wars

By The Museum at FIT
In Objects
Tagged with 1930 1935 black Countess Greffulhe dress installation Jenny Maggie Rouff velvet
On 15 Dec | '2016

L: Photograph © Zach Hilty/BFA.com
R: Photo by Eileen Costa. © 2016 The Museum at FIT

The period between the wars has been called “the golden age of the couturière.” On the evidence of her existing wardrobe, it appears that the Countess Greffulhe patronized many celebrated female designers, including Maggy Rouff, who was the daughter of the head designer at the House of Drécoll.

Élisabeth Greffulhe often wore black. Robert de Montesquiou described how “She appeared with the elegant energy and refined majesty of a gazelle that had encountered a length of black velvet, which she trailed behind her with infinite grace.”

Left: Maggie Rouff
Evening dress, circa 1930
Silk velvet
GAL1964.20.30, gift of the Gramont family to the Palais Galliera

Right: Jenny
Evening gown, circa 1935
Black viscose jersey and satin
GAL1964.20.37, 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.

This exhibition was developed by the Palais Galliera, Fashion Museum of the City of Paris, Paris Musées.

Wide-brimmed hat, circa 1935
Next post

Evening Coat circa 1925
Previous post