Once the designer completes a set of design sketches, they are sent to the workroom. Using the sketches the workroom makes a toile which is a pattern for the garment in white calico. After the toile is completed, it is modelled for the designer who then decides on any alterations before the garment is made up for presentation to clients.

According to the donor the toiles were purchased in Paris by the buyer of Myer Emporium in the late 1940s and made up in Melbourne for sale throught the store. Toiles were sold to buyers of department stores for copy purposes, the buyers paid a surcharge on each garment they bought thus acquiring the right to make copies from a toile or a paper pattern of an original model.

Toile, cocktail dress, womens, calico, Pierre Balmain, Paris, France, 1947-1950.

Toile for cocktail dress made of calico with fabric swatch attached of embroidered cream silk. Dress is tight fitting with wide off-the-shoulder neckline. Just under the bust is an attached belt with hook and eye fastening and a bow, extending from the bow is a narrow strap that passes under the neckline and over the right shoulder. Tight mid-calf length skirt. Centre back zipper fastening. The skirt has attached cotton lining with its own centre back hook and eye fastening.

Designed: Balmain, Pierre; Paris, France; 1947 - 1950

Made: House of Balmain; Paris, France; 1947 - 1950


Used: Myer Emporium

White cotton label, handwritten: ROBE 104 CORDOUE.

94/125/1

1947 - 1950

340 mm