Costume Design 

This costume design was made by Erte, though the date is unknown. Erte's career spanned much of the 20th century; from the decorative arts of the Art Deco era, through to Hollywood set design. He moved seamlessly through a range of institutions, including fashion, stage, and magazine design. This piece shows the artist's skill for combining these disciplines. The figure's elaborate clothing takes centre stage; they are almost entirely obscured behind swathes of fabric. The character appears regal and mysterious, with long plaited hair and a decorative turban. We know from Erte's biography that he was born in Russia, but spent most of his working life in France. The costume reflects this combination of influences, with a vaguely 'eastern' feel blended with the glamour of the Parisian stage. To understand Erte's influences more fully, you might want to research interwar fashion trends, and the cross-cultural artistic exchange that marked the period. Erte's work reveals how costume can be a complex visual language.