Not currently on display at the V&A

Evening Dress

1975 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This dress, designed by Ruri Gernreich in 1975, showcases his interest in knitted fabrics such as silk jersey. Gernreich was born in Vienna in 1922 but emigrated with his family to Los Angeles in 1938. Often remembered as the designer of the so-called 'topless bathing suit' design of 1964, Gernreich also designed less controversial clothes but always with an emphasis on freedom of movement and an easy informality. This dress typifies Gernreich's relaxed aesthetic. Its simple sheath-like design is puctuated with a dramatic sculpted aluminium choker by Christopher Den Blaker.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Nylon jersey, aluminium
Brief description
Black nylon jersey, 1975, Gernreich, Rudi, for Bob Cunningham, attached sculptural aluminium choker by Christopher Den Blaker. Retailed by Neiman Marcus
Physical description
Black nylon jersey evening dress, full length tube with split skirt in back, no fastenings, the dress suspended from a sculptural aluminium choker collar.
Dimensions
  • Not including choker length: 139cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • RUDI GERNREICH FOR BOB CUNNINGHAM (Label inside back of dress)
  • 100% NYLON STYLE 462 SIZE M SEE OTHER SIDE RN 33937 (on reverse) DRY CLEAN ONLY (Manufacturer's label in side seam of dress)
  • Chris den Blaker for Rudi Gernreich (Script signature on inside of aluminium choker)
Summary
This dress, designed by Ruri Gernreich in 1975, showcases his interest in knitted fabrics such as silk jersey. Gernreich was born in Vienna in 1922 but emigrated with his family to Los Angeles in 1938. Often remembered as the designer of the so-called 'topless bathing suit' design of 1964, Gernreich also designed less controversial clothes but always with an emphasis on freedom of movement and an easy informality. This dress typifies Gernreich's relaxed aesthetic. Its simple sheath-like design is puctuated with a dramatic sculpted aluminium choker by Christopher Den Blaker.
Collection
Accession number
T.115-2009

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Record createdJuly 28, 2009
Record URL
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