Evening gown with lace

Gown in black mechanical needle mesh on ivory silk satin with inserts in black mechanical Chantilly lace. The bodice has a square neckline and short sleeves adorned with green silk velvet caps, lace and ivory

silk satin bows. The fastening at the front, consisting of hooks and laces, is concealed by a écru chiffon stomacher and covered in black tulle embroidered with black jets and silver sequins. The waistline is

highlighted by a draped satin belt with a green velvet bow. The bellshaped skirt is caught up at the back in a train with chiffon ruches and a double black lace ruche. Catherine Donovan was a famous New York couturière whom The New York Times defined, after her death, as the pioneering seamstress who had

clothed the city’s elite. The Goelets, the Astors and the Vanderbilts were all her patrons and frequent visitors to her atelier on Madison Avenue.

Donated by Carlotta Antinori della Gherardesca.