1) Floor length dress with blue and red poppies printed on chiffon (main illustration); 2) Gold coloured tulle dress embroidered with pale coloured silk floss and gold thread; 3) Black Chantilly lace gown with applique black velvet bows. Dresses from the collection have been purchased by three museums: Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle; Fashion Museum, Bath and the V&A, London. Andrew Macdonald, Acting Director of the Art Fund, said: 'These exquisite dresses reveal the astonishing cut and design of Madeleine VionnetÂ’s haute couture. Her innovative construction techniques and skilled manipulation of fabric have inspired many of todayÂ’s leading fashion designers. Sharing the collection between the three museums is a wonderful way of allowing more people to see VionnetÂ’s distinctive style as well as the sumptuous tastes of Lady Foley and the Art Fund is thrilled to have helped save them for the nation.'

Provenance

Lady Foley; by descent; private collection, 1973.