Evening coat 1901

Curator: Here we have an evening coat designed by the House of Worth in 1901. The coat is now part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Oh, wow! That's quite a statement piece. I immediately imagine a glamorous woman gliding through a dimly lit ballroom, maybe plotting something deliciously scandalous. The fur trim really amplifies that sense of decadent drama, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed. Worth was known for their luxurious materials and elaborate designs, and this coat exemplifies that. You have the deep pile of the velvet contrasted with the lushness of the fur. Also note the appliqué decoration using lighter shades of green which break up the deep, dark swathes of color across the material, and those dangling beaded embellishments add movement and catch the light. Editor: It feels a little heavy, visually, though. All that dark velvet and fur. I wonder if it felt as heavy to wear. It’s the kind of thing that probably came with its own specific set of social expectations, right? The wearer would need to match the extravagance. Curator: Precisely. It speaks volumes about the wearer's social standing and their engagement with contemporary fashion. Worth's clientele were, shall we say, people of means. We should consider the economic context, the social implications of wearing such an item. Editor: You know, even the color palette feels intentional. That rich, dark green almost absorbs the light, creating an aura of mystery. It's the kind of coat a sorceress would wear! Curator: (Chuckles) An interesting point. The House of Worth was not simply making clothes; they were crafting entire images. Consider the craftsmanship that went into this garment, the labor of the artisans involved in its production. Editor: It’s so tempting to reach out and feel it—the velvet, the fur...imagine the stories those fabrics could tell. The hushed conversations, the stolen glances, the secret rendezvous…! I picture it sweeping across marble floors… Curator: Well, its craftsmanship definitely insured it was fit for such purposes. Reflect on how the art object is embedded within a complex web of social relations, how clothing serves as a marker of identity and status. Editor: You're right. Beyond the glamour, there’s so much to unpack about societal roles and craftsmanship in one single garment. What an invitation! Curator: Indeed. I think our brief look there really allows for some deep reflections to take place.