Evening ensemble

Designer Arnold Scaasi American, born Canada

ca. 1958

Not on view

Arnold Scaasi, the designer of this ball gown, is best known for his evening wear designs, worn by a long list of celebrity clients primarily during the 1960s through the 1980s. Scaasi's work incorporates lavish surface decoration, often in the form of floral trimming, bright colors and full silhouettes that extend the proportions of the body. Scaasi creations are rarely easy to ignore; their ostentatious quality has become a signature of the designer's work. This example shows Scaasi's use of beadwork embroidery, applied braid and fur trim to enliven the surface of an otherwise conventional ensemble. Different materials all of the same color creates a play of textures as each element reflects light in a different way. This combination of trim ensuring this ensemble, although black, is anything but somber.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Title: Evening ensemble
Designer: Arnold Scaasi (American, born Montreal, Canada, 1931–2015)
Date: ca. 1958
Culture: American
Medium: silk, fur
Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Frances Carpenter, 1965
Object Number: 2009.300.3279a, b
Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

More Artwork

By Arnold Scaasi

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Ball gown, Arnold Scaasi American, born Canada, silk, American — Ball gown
Arnold Scaasi
spring/summer 1988

Evening ensemble, Arnold Scaasi American, born Canada, silk, American — Evening ensemble
Arnold Scaasi
1984

Hat, Arnold Scaasi American, born Canada, Silk, American — Hat
Arnold Scaasi
1980

Evening ensemble, Arnold Scaasi American, born Canada, silk, feathers, plastic, American — Evening ensemble
Arnold Scaasi
ca. 1970

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