Evening coat

This low-slung black velvet coat has a deep, draped collar and long sleeves. It fastens with one self button below the left hip and is secured inside with black satin ties. The back of the coat and the elbow area of the sleeves have applied embroidered motifs inspired by Chinese designs. It is embroidered in deep pink sequins and a variety of red beads on black chiffon. The bold design consists of swirling floral forms with elongated petals. It has a collar of ostrich feathers dyed deep blue-black with a magenta cluster at the front right. The coat is lined throughout with black satin. It was made between 1924 and 1926 by the English couture house 'Itylus'. Paul Poiret had popularised evenin

Evening coat · London · 1924-1926. Hand-sewn velvet, silk chiffon and ostrich feathers, hand-embroidered with sequins and beads, lined with satin. By Itylus. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.