John Galliano Princess Lucretia Silk Jersey & Chiffon Dress (SS 1994)

Curator's Note

This sage green silk jersey dress was presented on the runway for John Galliano's Spring/Summer 1994 Princess Lucretia collection. Inspired by the story of a fictional Russian princess, the collection followed her journey through a series of historical references, from nineteenth-century crinolines and Victorian tailoring to the bias-cut evening dresses of the 1930s. One of the show's most memorable moments came when Kate Moss ran down the runway in an enormous crinoline skirt, depicting Lucretia's escape from Russia. The collection was a critical and commercial success, earning Galliano international recognition and the support of Anna Wintour, who subsequently featured the collection extensively in American Vogue. The bias-cut silk dresses were among the collection's most successful designs and became central to Galliano's work throughout the 1990s. His interpretation of Madeleine Vionnet's cutting techniques is particularly apparent in this dress, with its draped neckline, asymmetric skirt and chiffon panels at the shoulders and back. A closely related dress from the collection is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (accession 1995.433.2).

Description

• Sage green silk jersey evening dress
• Bias-cut
• Draped cowl neckline with a wide flounce
• Asymmetric chiffon panels in pale grey, pink, black and sage green at the shoulders
• Chiffon panels across the low draped back
• Asymmetric skirt with flared panels and pointed extensions at the front and back
• Separate bias-cut green chiffon slip, extending below the outer dress
• As seen on the Spring/Summer 1994 runway

Size and Measurements

• Labelled size UK 8 (Please refer to measurements for accurate fit)
• Measurements are taken with the garment laid flat:
  • Chest: 38cm
  • Waist: 32cm
  • Hips: 37cm
  • Length: 139cm