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Image Not Available for Ivory and Gold Heavily Beaded Evening Coat
Ivory and Gold Heavily Beaded Evening Coat
Image Not Available for Ivory and Gold Heavily Beaded Evening Coat

Ivory and Gold Heavily Beaded Evening Coat

Wearer (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1929 - 2012)
Collector (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1929 - 2012)
Date1920s
Object NameCoat
Mediumcambric and plastic
ClassificationsFashion and Dress
DimensionsCoat : chest 47cm × waist 43cm × length 92cm × back length 92.5 cm × hips 43 cm × flare 105cm
AcquisitionBetty Clunas Gift, 2013.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS082683
About MeFashions in the 1920s show dresses and coats that flare at the hip. Straight was the dominant shape of the 1920s, but the flared shape emerging from the low waist was also in fashion. This coat would have fitted well over an elegant flared gown.

In the first half of the decade, wealthy women would purchase an evening coat, to wear over their elegant gowns. These were heavily inspired by designer Paul Poiret who studied textiles from the Far East. He developed the mid-length coat with oversized dolman, batwing and kimono sleeves.

The Art Deco style was characterised by strong colour contrasts, geometric shapes, clean lines, and stylised motifs. The gold and white beaded border show stylised roses. Evening wear of the decade is known for elaborate beading and fringes. Beads that sparkled under the light contributed to the era’s emphasis on movement.

Aberdeen born, Betty Clunas (1929-2012) served as the Chair of the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums. She had a fondness for design between 1890 and 1940, and especially liked the Art Deco period.

Later in life Betty Clunas liked to wear vintage clothing to special occasions and parties and having bought this coat from either a charity or a vintage clothes shop some years earlier, she eventually wore it herself to such an event. The coat may have been worn to the annual Aberdeen Art Gallery Ball, the occasion being a highlight of her social year.