Wedding dress
1889
Medium
silk
Classification
Wedding Dress
Culture
American
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Louise M. Byrne, 1978
Accession Number
1978.106
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegance of Gilded Age America with this stunning 1889 wedding dress by O'Donovan, now gracing the Metropolitan Museum of's Costume Institute. Craft from luxurious silk, the gown embodies the opulence of late Victorian fashion, when bridal attire served as a lavish statement of social status and romantic ideals. Donated in 1978 by Louise M. Byrne, it a tangible glimpse into the lives of affluent American women at the fin de siècle. Silk, a prized medium for high-end couture, drapes with unparalleled sheen and durability, allowing for intricate tailoring that accentuated the era'...