

Day suit, ca. 1937
Jean Patou (French, 1887–1936)
Black wool gabardine with silk grosgrain inserts
Jean Patou (French, 1887–1936)
Black wool gabardine with silk grosgrain inserts
Gift of Mrs. Stephen M. Kellen, 1978 (1978.165.20a,b)
Patou constructed a tailored suit as if it were a jigsaw puzzle. Formed as a gabardine suit with all the pattern pieces wholly constructed, the silk grosgrain diamonds were inserted replacing gabardine squares. Each diamond is composed of four mitered elements. By this analytical technique, the suit is integrally conceived, and the front of the suit reveals the wool ground as a full surround.







