Evening coat 1888 - 1892

Editor: Here we have an evening coat designed by the House of Worth, dating between 1888 and 1892. It's a stunning textile piece! I'm immediately struck by the dramatic use of velvet and the contrast with that rich, dark fur trim. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Well, seeing this coat, I’m drawn to the intersection of power, gender, and class it represents. The House of Worth was *the* couturier for European royalty and aristocracy. Who was afforded access to these symbols of wealth, and what did that mean for those excluded? Editor: That's fascinating. It highlights the social stratification of the era through fashion. Curator: Precisely. The restrictive nature of these garments, the sheer volume and weight of the fabric... It speaks to a lifestyle of privilege and enforced inactivity for women of a certain class. How does it reflect societal expectations? What about labour practices at the time? The unseen hands who meticulously crafted this? Editor: It really brings the piece into a contemporary dialogue on labour, accessibility, and the historical construction of femininity. Are there particular details that illustrate this tension for you? Curator: Notice how the dark colour and heavy material contrast with the purpose of being seen during an evening outing. The restrictive nature of the high collar and long sleeves could perhaps act as signifiers of both high status and modesty, adhering to prevailing social norms of the time. Editor: It makes me consider how garments like this both reflected and enforced social boundaries. Thank you! I'm now seeing this as much more than a beautiful coat. Curator: Exactly. It is a lens through which to examine the socio-political realities of the Gilded Age. These aren't simply pretty things; they're complex historical documents.