Exhibition preview, 12 January 2015

1920s swimsuit by Lanvin embellished with Swarovski crystals

...is one of the items at the exhibition 'Jeanne Lanvin' from 8 March to 23 August 2015 at Palais Galliera in Paris. For the presentation of the work of Jeanne Lanvin (founded the luxury fashion house in 1889 - today, the longest active French maison de couture), Palais Galliera collaborated closely with Lanvin's artistic director Alber Elbaz (even the artistic director of the exhibition) and Swarovski, the supporting partner whose expert recently authenticated the stones on the swimsuit as Swarovski crystals. Embellished evening gowns were one of the trademarks of Jeanne Lanvin.

fig.: 'Vogue' maillot by Jeanne Lanvin, été 1924. Velours de soie, broderies de tubes, miroirs ronds et cristaux Swarovski; collection Palais Galliera. Photo: (C) Katerina Jebb, 2014.

The maillot (French for 'swimsuit') is from summer 1924. It's made of black silk velvet and embroidered with Swarovski crystals, round mirrors and transparent silvered elements which form the stars and the sparkle around. On palaisgalliera.paris.fr, the artifact is described closer with information where and on which occasion it was worn.


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