This ensemble was designed and made by Andre Courreges, the Parisian fashion designer, and sold through Harrods in London in 1965. It comprises a mini-dress made of bright yellow wool with a white vinyl belt and white wool-acrylic coat. The ensemble was designed to be worn with a pair of mid-calf boots, and perhaps also a peaked or pill box hat and pair of white gloves.

The construction in this Courreges dress appears quite simple. It has been cut symmetrically; the overall shape is rigid and geometric ? it has an architectural shape; there is minimal decoration; it is done up by a three-quarter zipper at the back and three eyelet hooks at the neck and the inside is fully lined with white rayon. And, on the outside, Courreges has used top stitching along the seam lines to emphasise the cut and shape.

Please click through the images above to see Courreges inside out.

Image no 1 - the complete ensemble

Image no 2 - the geometric shape of this A-line mini-dress is juxtaposed by the organic shape of the fake pockets and belt buckle. And, the yoke (shape around the neckline) evokes a style of children?s clothing.

Image no 3 - back view inside out showing three-quarter zipper and three eyelet hooks at the neck. The inside is fully lined with white rayon.

Image no 4 - the label 'COURREGES / PARIS / MADE IN FRANCE'

Image no 5 - back detail showing how the zip is concealed by a flap of fabric.

Image no 6 - detail to give a sense of the thickness and resistance of the wool.

Image no 7 - front view of the coat which accompanies the dress. It is heavy (since it?s made from wool) and is also fully lined in white rayon. It is detailed with gold Courreges buttons down the front, back and on the cuffs and also has a geometric shape

Image no 8 - back view of the coat.

Image no 9 - mid-calf 'Go-Go' boots, which complete the ensemble, were another trademark for Courreges in the 60s, which he designed to go with almost all his outfits. They feature cream plastic uppers, a leather sole and heel and vinyl lining in the boot and sock.

Melanie Pitkin
Assistant Curator, 2009

Note: this article was written for the Museum's "Object of the Week" Blog. "Object of the Week" can be found under Online Resources on this site.

+ Fashion
+ Courreges, Andre

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