suit

Lachasse 1928

Summary

Jacket and skirt in heavy cotton pique with waffle textured effect, printed with a stylised design of yellow brush strokes and black dots on a sky blue and white ground. Jacket : Fitted with scoop neck with turn-down collar at back and sides only; fronts each in two sections, shaped with single vertical dart to waist, false pocket flap at waistline each side; fastening with 4 self-covered buttons and buttonholes, left front extending over right at top only; back in 4 shaped sections, gathered into waist seam, covered by a half-belt with a button each end, small basque below in 2 sections; tight three quarter sleeves in 2 sections with turnback cuff; jacket lined throughout with white silk. Skirt : Pique lined white silk; shaped high waistline self-faced; front cut in 2 sections with CF seam, dart each side, the waist with deep V cut-out filled with a triangular section; zip fastening in L side; back in one section, dart at waist each side. Blouse : Grey organdie, unlined; high round neck, shoulders continuing to form very short sleeves; neck and armholes bound; fronts each in one section gathered to neck and to narrow applied waistband; CF fastening with 7 self buttons and buttonholes, hook & eye at neck and waist; back in one section gathered to neck and waist, 3 very small darts at back of armhole. Camisole : Grey organdie, unlined; shaped top edge pointed each side above bust, narrow pink braid shoulder straps; front in one section, darts at waist and sides; back in one section with dart to waist each side of CB opening fastening with hooks & eyes and press fasteners. label : woven rayon : sewn in CB neck of jacket and at blouse waist : designer's name : Lachasse/LONDON See also matching organdie coat, and hat. (1959.100/6). Shown at fashion parade 'Britain's Couture Cottons for 1958' at the Hyde Park Hotel, London, 25 June 1957 Cotton Board

Display Label

This detail shows a cotton which has been produced as a lattice-pique, and then screen-printed with a pattern of yellow brush strokes, white splodges and black spots, all on a ground shaded in grey. Innovative and abstract textile design was a feature of the 1950s, and this sophisticated cotton was locally printed in Lancashire by Hollinwood Textile Printers. The fabric was made up by the London design house of Lachasse to a commission by the Manchester based Cotton Board, an organisation dedicated to promoting the use of cotton in fashionable clothing. Two-piece suits with tightly fitted jackets and matching pencil skirts were a staple of 1950s daywear, suitable for most smart events, or for early evening or cocktail parties. However, as this one was a commission, it was only actually ever worn on the catwalk and not socially.